MyMedR

Fulltext Gene silencing and Polycomb group proteins: an overview of their structure, mechanisms and phylogenetics

Golbabapour S, Majid NA, Hassandarvish P, Hajrezaie M, Abdulla MA, Hadi AH

OMICS, 2013 Jun;17(6):283-96.

PMID: 23692361 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2012.0105

DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin configuration are crucially important in the regulation of gene expression. Among these epigenetic mechanisms, silencing the expression of certain genes depending on developmental stage and tissue specificity is a key repressive system in genome programming. Polycomb (Pc) proteins play roles in gene silencing through different mechanisms. These proteins act in complexes and govern the histone methylation profiles of a large number of genes that regulate various cellular pathways. This review focuses on two main Pc complexes, Pc repressive complexes 1 and 2, and their phylogenetic relationship, structures, and function. The dynamic roles of these complexes in silencing will be discussed herein, with a focus on the recruitment of Pc complexes to target genes and the key factors involved in their recruitment.

Fulltext Protective Role of Phyllanthus niruri Extract against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rat Model

Amin ZA, Bilgen M, Alshawsh MA, Ali HM, Hadi AH, Abdulla MA

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:241583.

PMID: 22649471 DOI: 10.1155/2012/241583

A preclinical study was performed to determine if the extract from Phyllanthus niruri (PN) plays a protective role against liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in rats. Initially, acute toxicity was tested and the results showed that the extract was benign when applied to healthy rats. Next, the therapeutic effect of the extract was investigated using five groups of rats: control, TAA, silymarin, and PN high dose and low dose groups. Significant differences were observed between the TAA group and the other groups regarding body and liver weights, liver biochemical parameters, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress enzyme levels. Gross visualization indicated coarse granules on the surface of the hepatotoxic rats' livers, in contrast to the smoother surface in the livers of the silymarin and PN-treated rats. Histopathological analysis revealed necrosis, lymphocytes infiltration in the centrilobular region, and fibrous connective tissue proliferation in the livers of the hepatotoxic rats. But, the livers of the treated rats had comparatively minimal inflammation and normal lobular architecture. Silymarin and PN treatments effectively restored these measurements closer to their normal levels. Progression of liver cirrhosis induced by TAA in rats can be intervened using the PN extract and these effects are comparable to those of silymarin.

Fulltext Gastroprotection studies of Schiff base zinc (II) derivative complex against acute superficial hemorrhagic mucosal lesions in rats

Golbabapour S, Gwaram NS, Hassandarvish P, Hajrezaie M, Kamalidehghan B, Abdulla MA, et al.

PLoS One, 2013;8(9):e75036.

PMID: 24058648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075036

The study was carried out to assess the gastroprotective effect of the zinc (II) complex against ethanol-induced acute hemorrhagic lesions in rats.

Fulltext Lancifoliaine, a new bisbenzylisoquinoline from the bark of Litsea lancifolia

Sulaiman SN, Mukhtar MR, Hadi AH, Awang K, Hazni H, Zahari A, et al.

Molecules, 2011 Apr 13;16(4):3119-27.

PMID: 21490559 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16043119

A new bisbenzylisoquinoline, lancifoliaine (1), together with seven known alkaloids--N-allyllaurolitsine (2), reticuline (3), actinodaphnine, norboldine, pallidine, cassythicine and boldine--were isolated from the stem bark of Litsea lancifolia (Lauraceae). In addition to that of lancifoliaine, complete ¹³C-NMR data of N-allyl-laurolitsine (2) was also reported. The alkaloidal structures were elucidated by means of high field 1D- and 2D-NMR IR, UV, and LCMS-IT-TOF spectral data. N-Allyllaurolitsine (2) showed a moderate vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta.

Fulltext Neonaucline, a new indole alkaloid from the leaves of Ochreinauclea maingayii (Hook. f.) Ridsd. (Rubiaceae)

Muktar MR, Osman N, Awang K, Hazni H, Qureshi AK, Hadi AH, et al.

Molecules, 2011 Dec 28;17(1):267-74.

PMID: 22205092 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17010267

A new indole alkaloid; neonaucline (1), along with six known compounds-Cadamine (2), naucledine (3), harmane, benzamide, cinnamide and blumenol A-were isolated from the leaves of Ochreinauclea maingayii (Rubiaceae). In addition to that of compound 1, (13)C-NMR data of cadamine (2) and naucledine (3) were also reported. Structural elucidations of these alkaloids were performed using spectroscopic methods especially 1D- and 2D-NMR, IR, UV and LCMS-IT-TOF. The excellent vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta was observed for the alkaloids 1-3 after injection of each sample at 1 × 10(-5) M.

Fulltext Synthesis, characterization, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, molecular modeling and antioxidant activities of some novel Schiff bases derived from 1-(2-ketoiminoethyl)piperazines

Salga SM, Ali HM, Abdullah MA, Abdelwahab SI, Wai LK, Buckle MJ, et al.

Molecules, 2011 Nov 07;16(11):9316-30.

PMID: 22064271 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16119316

Some novel Schiff bases derived from 1-(2-ketoiminoethyl)piperazines were synthesized and characterized by mass spectroscopy, FTIR, UV-Visible, 1H and 13C-NMR. The compounds were tested for inhibitory activities on human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE), antioxidant activities, acute oral toxicity and further studied by molecular modeling techniques. The study identified the compound (DHP) to have the highest activity among the series in hAChE inhibition and DPPH assay while the compound LP revealed the highest activity in the FRAP assay. The hAChE inhibitory activity of DHP is comparable with that of propidium, a known AChE inhibitor. This high activity of DHP was checked by molecular modeling which showed that DHP could not be considered as a bivalent ligand due to its incapability to occupy the esteratic site (ES) region of the 3D crystal structure of hAChE. The antioxidant study unveiled varying results in 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. This indicates mechanistic variations of the compounds in the two assays. The potential therapeutic applications and safety of these compounds were suggested for use as human acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antioxidants.

Eucophylline, a Tetracyclic Vinylquinoline Alkaloid from Leuconotis eugenifolius

Deguchi J, Shoji T, Nugroho AE, Hirasawa Y, Hosoya T, Shirota O, et al.

J Nat Prod, 2010 Oct 22;73(10):1727-9.

PMID: 20836516 DOI: 10.1021/np100458b

Eucophylline (1), a new tetracyclic vinylquinoline alkaloid, was isolated from the bark of Leuconotis eugenifolius together with leucophyllidine (2). The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR correlations and simulated CD analysis. Leucophyllidine (2) showed iNOS inhibitory activity and decreased the iNOS protein expression dose-dependently.

Gneyulins A and B, stilbene trimers, and noidesols A and B, dihydroflavonol-C-glucosides, from the bark of Gnetum gnemonoides

Shimokawa Y, Akao Y, Hirasawa Y, Awang K, Hadi AH, Sato S, et al.

J Nat Prod, 2010 Apr 23;73(4):763-7.

PMID: 20192242 DOI: 10.1021/np9007987

Gneyulins A (1) and B (2), two new stilbene trimers consisting of oxyresveratrol constituent units, and noidesols A (3) and B (4), two new dihydroflavonol-C-glucosides, were isolated from the bark of Gnetum gnemonoides. The structures and configurations of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR correlations and X-ray analysis. Gneyulins A (1) and B (2) showed inhibition of Na(+)-glucose transporters (SGLT-1 and SGLT-2).

Pseuduvarines A and B, two new cytotoxic dioxoaporphine alkaloids from Pseuduvaria rugosa

Taha H, Hadi AH, Nordin N, Najmuldeen IA, Mohamad K, Shirota O, et al.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 2011;59(7):896-7.

PMID: 21720044

Pseuduvarines A (1) and B (2), two new dioxoaporphine alkaloids with an amino moiety, were isolated from the stem bark of Pseuduvaria rugosa and their structures were elucidated by combination of 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis. Pseuduvarines A (1) and B (2) showed cytotoxicity against MCF7, HepG2, and HL-60 (1: IC₅₀, 0.9, 21.7, and >50.0 µM, respectively, 2: IC₅₀ >50.0, 15.7, and 12.4 µM, respectively).

Oppositinines A and B: new vasorelaxant beta-carboline alkaloids from Neisosperma oppositifolia

Ahmad K, Thomas NF, Hadi AH, Mukhtar MR, Mohamad K, Nafiah MA, et al.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 2010 Aug;58(8):1085-7.

PMID: 20686264

A phytochemical study on the bark of Neisosperma oppositifolia (Apocynaceae) yielded two new beta-carboline indole alkaloids, oppositinines A (1) and B (2), together with five known alkaloids, isoreserpiline, isocarapanaubine, vobasine, 10-methoxydihydrocorynantheol-N-oxide, and ochropposinine oxindole. Structural elucidation of 1 and 2 was performed using 2D NMR methods. Oppositinines A (1) and B (2) showed potent vasorelaxant effects on the rat aorta.

Spectaflavoside A, a new potent iron chelating dimeric flavonol glycoside from the rhizomes of Zingiber spectabile Griff

Sivasothy Y, Hadi AH, Mohamad K, Leong KH, Ibrahim H, Sulaiman SF, et al.

Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2012 Jun 1;22(11):3831-6.

PMID: 22546674 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.02.064

The rhizomes of Zingiber spectabile yielded a new dimeric flavonol glycoside for which the name kaempferol-3-O-(4″-O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-(I-6,II-8)-kaempferol-3-O-(4″-O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside; spectaflavoside A (1) was proposed, along with kaempferol and its four acetylrhamnosides (2-6), demethoxycurcumin (7) and curcumin (8). The structure of spectaflavoside A was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. This is the first report on the occurrence of a dimeric flavonol glycoside in the Zingiberaceae and the second in nature. Spectaflavoside A was found to be a potent iron chelating agent.

Anti-melanin deposition activity of ceramicines from Chisocheton ceramicus

Iijima C, Wong CP, Nugroho AE, Sotozono Y, Someya S, Hirasawa Y, et al.

J Nat Med, 2016 Oct;70(4):702-7.

PMID: 27357963 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-016-1016-y

The ceramicines, a series of limonoids from Chisocheton ceramicus (Meliaceae), were evaluated for anti-melanin deposition activity on α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-treated B16-F10 melanoma cell, and several ceramicines were found to be active. The structure-activity relationship of ceramicines as anti-melanin deposition inhibitors was deduced. Furthermore, the mechanism of anti-melanin deposition activity of ceramicine B, a major constituent of C. ceramicus that showed potent anti-melanin deposition activity, was investigated. Tyrosinase enzymatic activity and tyrosinase mRNA expression were not affected by ceramicine B. The anti-melanin deposition activity of ceramicine B was shown to be related to the downregulation of tyrosinase protein expression. These results suggest that ceramicines have potential to be used as depigmentation agents.

Fulltext Walsogynes H-O from Walsura chrysogyne

Nugroho AE, Nakajima S, Wong CP, Hirasawa Y, Kaneda T, Shirota O, et al.

J Nat Med, 2022 Jan;76(1):94-101.

PMID: 34351584 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-021-01556-4

Eight new limonoids, walsogynes H-O (1-8) were isolated from the barks of Walsura chrysogyne, and their structures were determined on the basis of the 1D and 2D NMR data. Walsogynes H-M (1-6) and O (8) were concluded to be 11,12-seco limonoids with a dodecahydro-1H-naphtho[1,8-bc:3,4-c']difuran skeleton, and walsogyne N (7) to be 11,12-seco limonoid sharing a unique dodecahydronaphtho[1,8-bc:5,4-b'c']difuran skeleton. Walsogynes H-O (1-8) exhibited potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain with IC50 value of 2.5, 2.6, 1.6, 2.5, 1.5, 2.6, 2.1, and 1.1 µM, respectively.

Fulltext Aporphine alkaloids from the leaves of Phoebe grandis (Nees) Mer. (Lauraceae) and their cytotoxic and antibacterial activities

Omar H, Hashim NM, Zajmi A, Nordin N, Abdelwahab SI, Azizan AH, et al.

Molecules, 2013 Jul 29;18(8):8994-9009.

PMID: 23899833 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18088994

The oxoaporphine alkaloid lysicamine (1), and three proaporphine alkaloids, litsericinone (2), 8,9,11,12-tetrahydromecambrine (3) and hexahydromecambrine A (4) were isolated from the leaves of Phoebe grandis (Nees) Merr. (Lauraceae). Compounds 2 and 3 were first time isolated as new naturally occurring compounds from plants. The NMR data for the compounds 2-4 have never been reported so far. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant cytotoxic activity against a MCF7 (human estrogen receptor (ER+) positive breast cancer) cell line with IC₅₀ values of 26 and 60 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxic activity against HepG2 (human liver cancer) cell line was evaluated for compounds 1-4 with IC₅₀ values of 27, 14, 81 and 20 µg/mL, respectively. Lysicamine (1) displayed strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (B145), Staphylococcus aureus (S1434) and Staphylococus epidermidis (a clinically isolated strain) with inhibition zones of 15.50 ± 0.57, 13.33 ± 0.57 and 12.00 ± 0.00 mm, respectively. However, none of the tested pathogenic bacteria were susceptible towards compounds 2 and 3.

Bisnicalaterines B and C, atropisomeric bisindole alkaloids from Hunteria zeylanica, showing vasorelaxant activity

Hirasawa Y, Hara M, Nugroho AE, Sugai M, Zaima K, Kawahara N, et al.

J Org Chem, 2010 Jun 18;75(12):4218-23.

PMID: 20469917 DOI: 10.1021/jo1006762

Two new bisindole alkaloids, bisnicalaterines B and C (1 and 2) consisting of an eburnane and a corynanthe type of skeletons, were isolated from the bark of Hunteria zeylanica. Their absolute structures were determined by combination of NMR, CD, and computational methods, and each of them was shown to be in an atropisomeric relationship. Bisnicalaterines B and C (1 and 2) showed potent vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta.

Fulltext Acute toxicity and gastroprotection studies with a newly synthesized steroid

Ketuly KA, Hadi AH, Golbabapour S, Hajrezaie M, Hassandarvish P, Ali HM, et al.

PLoS One, 2013;8(3):e59296.

PMID: 23516624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059296

BACKGROUND: Synthetic steroids, such as 9α-bromobeclomethasonedipropionate, have shown gastroprotective activity. For example, the potent glucocorticoid steroid, beclomethasone dipropionate, has been used for treatment of bowel ulcerations. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a synthetic steroid, (20S)-22-acetoxymethyl-6β-methoxy-3α,5-dihydro-3'H-cyclopropa[3α,5]-5α-pregnane (AMDCP), on ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injuries in rats.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING: Rats were divided into 8 groups. The negative control and ethanol control groups were administered Tween 20 (10%v/v) orally. The reference control group, 20 mg/kg omeprazole (10% Tween 20, 5 mL/kg), was administrated orally. The experimental groups received 1, 5, 10, 15 or 20 mg/kg of the AMDCP compound (10% Tween 20, 5 mL/kg). After 60 min, Tween 20 and absolute ethanol was given orally (5 mL/kg) to the negative control group and to the rest of the groups, and the rats were sacrificed an hour later. The acidity of gastric content, gastric wall mucus and areas of mucosal lesions were assessed. In addition, histology and immunohistochemistry of the gastric wall were assessed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were also measured. The ethanol control group exhibited severe mucosal lesion compared with the experimental groups with fewer mucosal lesions along with a reduction of edema and leukocyte infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining of Hsp70 and Bax proteins showed over-expression and under-expression, respectively, in the experimental groups. The experimental groups also exhibited high levels of PGE2 as well as a reduced amount of MDA. AMDCP decreased the acidity and lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The current investigation evaluated the gastroprotective effects of AMDCP on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. This study also suggests that AMDCP might be useful as a gastroprotective agent.

Ceramicines U-Z from Chisocheton ceramicus and structure-antimalarial activity relationship study

Nugroho AE, Komuro T, Kawaguchi T, Shindo Y, Wong CP, Hirasawa Y, et al.

J Nat Med, 2024 Jan;78(1):68-77.

PMID: 37690111 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-023-01746-2

Ceramicines are a series of limonoids which were isolated from the barks of Malaysian Chisocheton ceramicus (Meliaceae), and were known to show various biological activity. Six new limonoids, ceramicines U-Z (1-6), with a cyclopentanone[α]phenanthrene ring system with a β-furyl ring at C-17 were isolated from the barks of C. ceramicus. Their structures were determined on the basis of the 1D and 2D NMR analyses, and their absolute configurations were investigated by CD spectroscopy. Ceramicine W (3) exhibited potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain with IC50 value of 1.2 µM. In addition, the structure-antimalarial activity relationship (SAR) of the ceramicines was investigated to identify substituent patterns that may enhance activity. It appears that ring B and the functional groups in the vicinity of rings B and C are critical for the antimalarial activity of the ceramicines. In particular, bulky ester substituents with equatorial orientation at C-7 and C-12 greatly increase the antimalarial activity.

Fulltext Mechanisms of Gastroprotective Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Jasminum sambac against HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats

Alrashdi AS, Salama SM, Alkiyumi SS, Abdulla MA, Hadi AH, Abdelwahab SI, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:786426.

PMID: 22550543 DOI: 10.1155/2012/786426

Jasminum sambac is used in folk medicine as the treatment of many diseases. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of ethanolic extracts of J. sambac leaves against acidified ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Seven groups of rats were orally pre-treated with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as normal group, CMC as ulcer group, 20 mg/kg of omeprazole as positive group, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of extract as the experimental groups, respectively. An hour later, CMC was given orally to normal group and acidified ethanol solution was given orally to the ulcer control, positive control, and the experimental groups. The rats were sacrificed after an hour later. Acidity of gastric content, the gastric wall mucus, ulcer areas, and histology and immunohistochemistry of the gastric wall were assessed. Gastric homogenates were determined for prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), superoxide dismutase (SOD), andmalondialdehyde (MDA) content. Ulcer group exhibited significantly severe mucosal injury as compared with omeprazole or extract which shows significant protection towards gastric mucosal injury the plant promotes ulcer protection as it shows significant reduction of ulcer area grossly, and histology showed marked reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal layer compared with ulcer group. Immunohistochemistry showed overexpression of Hsp70 protein and downexpression of Bax protein in rats pretreated with extract. Significant increased in the pH, mucus of gastric content and high levels of PGE(2), SOD and reduced amount of MDA was observed.

Fulltext Persea declinata (Bl.) Kosterm Bark Crude Extract Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest, Bcl-2/Bax/Bcl-xl Signaling Pathways, and ROS Generation

Narrima P, Paydar M, Looi CY, Wong YL, Taha H, Wong WF, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014;2014:248103.

PMID: 24808916 DOI: 10.1155/2014/248103

Persea declinata (Bl.) Kosterm is a member of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in Southeast Asia. It is from the same genus with avocado (Persea americana Mill), which is widely consumed as food and for medicinal purposes. In the present study, we examined the anticancer properties of Persea declinata (Bl.) Kosterm bark methanolic crude extract (PDM). PDM exhibited a potent antiproliferative effect in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 16.68 µg/mL after 48 h of treatment. We observed that PDM caused cell cycle arrest and subsequent apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, as exhibited by increased population at G0/G1 phase, higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and DNA fragmentation. Mechanistic studies showed that PDM caused significant elevation in ROS production, leading to perturbation of mitochondrial membrane potential, cell permeability, and activation of caspases-3/7. On the other hand, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that PDM treatment increased the expression of the proapoptotic molecule, Bax, but decreased the expression of prosurvival proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, in a dose-dependent manner. These findings imply that PDM could inhibit proliferation in MCF-7 cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent worthy of further development.

Fulltext Antibacterial evaluation of some Schiff bases derived from 2-acetylpyridine and their metal complexes

Gwaram NS, Ali HM, Khaledi H, Abdulla MA, Hadi AH, Lin TK, et al.

Molecules, 2012 May 18;17(5):5952-71.

PMID: 22609786 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17055952

A series of Schiff bases derived from 2-acetylpyridne and their metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectral studies. The complexes were screened for anti-bacterial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumanni (AC), Klebsiella pneumonie (KB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) using the disc diffusion and micro broth dilution assays. Based on the overall results, the complexes showed the highest activities against MRSA while a weak antibacterial activity was observed against A. baumanii and P. aeruginosa.

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