Acetylmelodorinol, chrysin and polycarpol, together with benzoic acid, benzoquinone and stigmasterol were isolated from the leaves of Mitrella kentii (Bl.) Miq. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) production in human whole blood using a radioimmunoassay technique. Their inhibitory effect on platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor binding to rabbit platelet was determined using ³H-PAF as a ligand. Among the compounds tested, chrysin showed a strong dose-dependent inhibitory activity on PGE(2) production (IC₅₀ value of 25.5 µM), which might be due to direct inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymatic activity. Polycarpol, acetylmelodorinol and stigmasterol exhibited significant and concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on TXB₂ production with IC₅₀ values of 15.6, 19.1 and 19.4 µM, respectively, suggesting that they strongly inhibited COX-1 activity. Polycarpol and acetylmelodorinol showed strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects on PAF receptor binding with IC₅₀ values of 24.3 and 24.5 µM, respectively.
Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth. is an endangered medicinal herb traditionally used against different ailments. The present study aimed to create new insight into the fundamental mechanisms of genetic transformation and the biological activities of this plant. We transformed the A. bracteosa plant with rol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes and raised the regenerants from the hairy roots. These transgenic regenerants were screened for in vitro antioxidant activities, a range of in vivo assays, elemental analysis, polyphenol content, and different phytochemicals found through HPLC. Among 18 polyphenolic standards, kaempferol was most abundant in all transgenic lines. Furthermore, transgenic line 3 (ABRL3) showed maximum phenolics and flavonoids content among all tested plant extracts. ABRL3 also demonstrated the highest total antioxidant capacity (8.16 ± 1 μg AAE/mg), total reducing power, (6.60 ± 1.17 μg AAE/mg), DPPH activity (IC50 = 59.5 ± 0.8 μg/mL), hydroxyl ion scavenging (IC50 = 122.5 ± 0.90 μg/mL), and iron-chelating power (IC50 = 154.8 ± 2 μg/mL). Moreover, transformed plant extracts produced significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antidepressant activities in BALB/c mice models. In conclusion, transgenic regenerants of A. bracteosa pose better antioxidant and pharmacological properties under the effect of rol genes as compared to wild-type plants.
Doxycycline is an antibiotic derived from tetracycline that possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Antiviral activity of doxycycline against dengue virus has been reported previously; however, its anti-dengue properties need further investigation. This study was conducted to determine the potential activity of doxycycline against dengue virus replication in vitro. Doxycycline inhibited the dengue virus serine protease (DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro) with an IC50 value of 52.3 ± 6.2 μM at 37 °C (normal human temperature) and 26.7 ± 5.3 μM at 40 °C (high fever temperature). The antiviral activity of doxycycline was first tested at different concentrations against DENV2 using a plaque-formation assay. The virus titter decreased significantly after applying doxycycline at levels lower than its 50 % cytotoxic concentration (CC50, 100 μM), showing concentration-dependent inhibition with a 50 % effective concentration (EC50) of approximately 50 μM. Doxycycline significantly inhibited viral entry and post-infection replication of the four dengue serotypes, with serotype-specific inhibition (high activity against DENV2 and DENV4 compared to DENV1 and DENV3). Collectively, these findings underline the need for further experimental and clinical studies on doxycycline, utilizing its anti-dengue and anti-inflammatory activities to attenuate the clinical symptoms of dengue virus infection.
Although there have been considerable advances in the study of dengue virus, no vaccines or anti-dengue drugs are currently available for humans. Therefore, new approaches are necessary for the development of potent anti-dengue drugs. Natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with potent antiviral activities are potential hits-to-leads for antiviral drug discovery. We performed this study to identify and characterise the inhibitory potential of the latarcin peptide (Ltc 1, SMWSGMWRRKLKKLRNALKKKLKGE) against dengue virus replication in infected cells.
A series of N'-(substituted benzylidene)-2-(benzo[d]oxazol-3(2H)-yl)acetohydrazide derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for its in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Antimicrobial activity results revealed that compound 12 was found to be the most potent antimicrobial agent. Results of anticancer study indicated that the synthesized compounds exhibited average anticancer potential. Compound 7 (IC 50 =3.12 µM) and compound 16 (IC 50 =2.88 µM) were found to be most potent against breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines. In conclusion, compound 12 and 16 have the potential to be selected as lead compound for the developing of novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents respectively.
In the current research work, different N-(substituted-phenyl)-4-{(4-[(E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]-1-piperazinyl}butanamides have been synthesized according to the protocol described in scheme 1. The synthesis was initiated by reacting various substituted anilines (1a-e) with 4-chlorobutanoyl chloride (2) in aqueous basic medium to give various electrophiles, 4-chloro-N-(substituted-phenyl)butanamides (3a-e). These electrophiles were then coupled with 1-[(E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]piperazine (4) in polar aprotic medium to attain the targeted N-(substituted-phenyl)-4-{(4-[(E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]-1-piperazinyl}butanamides (5a-e). The structures of all derivatives were identified and characterized by proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), carbon-nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and Infra-Red (IR) spectral data along with CHN analysis. The in vitro inhibitory potential of these butanamides was evaluated against Mushroom tyrosinase, whereby all compounds were found to be biologically active. Among them, 5b exhibited highest inhibitory potential with IC50 value of 0.013 ± 0.001 µM. The same compound 5b was also assayed through in vivo approach, and it was explored that it significantly reduced the pigments in zebrafish. The in silico studies were also in agreement with aforesaid results. Moreover, these molecules were profiled for their cytotoxicity through hemolytic activity, and it was found that except 5e, all other compounds showed minimal toxicity. The compound 5a also exhibited comparable results. Hence, some of these compounds might be worthy candidates for the formulation and development of depigmentation drugs with minimum side effects.
Isorhapontigenin is a polyphenolic compound found in Chinese herbs and grapes. It is a methoxylated analogue of a stilbenoid, resveratrol, which is well-known for its various beneficial effects including anti-platelet activity. Isorhapontigenin possesses greater oral bioavailability than resveratrol and has also been identified to possess anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on platelet function have not been reported previously. In this study, we report the effects of isorhapontigenin on the modulation of platelet function. Isorhapontigenin was found to selectively inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation with an IC50 of 1.85 μM although it displayed marginal inhibition on platelet aggregation induced by other platelet agonists at 100 μM. However, resveratrol exhibited weaker inhibition on ADP-induced platelet aggregation (IC50 > 100 μM) but inhibited collagen induced platelet aggregation at 50 μM and 100 μM. Isorhapontigenin also inhibited integrin αIIbβ3 mediated inside-out and outside-in signalling and dense granule secretion in ADP-induced platelet activation but interestingly, no effect was observed on α-granule secretion. Isorhapontigenin did not exert any cytotoxicity on platelets at the concentrations of up to 100 μM. Furthermore, it did not affect haemostasis in mice at the IC50 concentration (1.85 μM). In addition, the mechanistic studies demonstrated that isorhapontigenin increased cAMP levels and VASP phosphorylation at Ser157 and decreased Akt phosphorylation. This suggests that isorhapontigenin may interfere with cAMP and PI3K signalling pathways that are associated with the P2Y12 receptor. Molecular docking studies emphasised that isorhapontigenin has greater binding affinity to P2Y12 receptor than resveratrol. Our results demonstrate that isorhapontigenin has selective inhibitory effects on ADP-stimulated platelet activation possibly via P2Y12 receptor.
This study presents the first ever data of extracting chitin from the Chiton shell, which was then converted to the soluble chitosan by soaking in the 45% NaOH solution. The obtained chitin and chitosan were characterized by the seven different methods. Antioxidant activity of the extracted chitosan was also evaluated using the two methods. The shell content was divided into calcium carbonate (90.5 %), protein (5.2%), and chitin (4.3 %). Due to the results of element analysis and 1H NMR, the final degree of deacetylation of chitosan was 90%. Surprisingly, a significant amount of Fe was accidentally found in the shell after demineralization, and removed from the solution through the filtering. Nonetheless, remained Fe in the extracted chitin and chitosan was 20 times higher than those previously reported from the shell of shrimps and crabs. Presence of this amount of Fe could describe why the produced chitosan was darker compared to the commercial chitosan. Antioxidant activity tests showed that the IC50 of the extracted chitosan was higher than one estimated for the commercial chitosan. Antioxidant activity of the extracted chitosan is even better than the commercial version and may be used in pharmaceutical industry as a source of antioxidant.
Synthesis of 2,5-bisarylthiophenes was accomplished by sequential Suzuki cross coupling reaction of 2-bromo-5-chloro thiophenes. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were carried out at the B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) level of theory to compare the geometric parameters of 2,5-bisarylthiophenes with those from X-ray diffraction results. The synthesized compounds are screened for in vitro bacteria scavenging abilities. At the concentration of 50 and 100 μg/mL, compounds 2b, 2c, 2d, 3c, and 3f with IC50-values of 51.4, 52.10, 58.0, 56.2, and 56.5 μg/mL respectively, were found most potent against E. coli. Among all the synthesized compounds 2a, 2d, 3c, and 3e with the least values of IC50 77, 76.26, 79.13 μg/mL respectively showed significant antioxidant activities. Almost all of the compounds showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, whereas 2-chloro-5-(4-methoxyphenyl) thiophene (2b) was found most active among all synthesized compound with an IC50 value of 51.4 μg/mL. All of the synthesized compounds were screened for nitric oxide scavenging activity as well. Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and molecular electrostatic potentials of the target compounds were also studied theoretically to account for their relative reactivity.
Four new stichoneurine-type alkaloids, stichoneurines F and G (1-2) and sessilistemonamines E and F (3-4), have been isolated from the root extracts of Stichoneuron caudatum. The structures and relative configurations of these alkaloids have been determined by spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling experiments. Compounds 1-4 were tested for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities against human AChE. Compound 3 showed significant inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 9.1±0.15 μM.
Phyllanthus watsonii Airy Shaw is an endemic plant found in Peninsular Malaysia. Although there are numerous reports on the anti cancer properties of other Phyllanthus species, published information on the cytotoxicity of P. watsonii are very limited. The present study was carried out with bioassay-guided fractionation approach to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction capability of the P. watsonii extracts and fractions on human gynecologic (SKOV-3 and Ca Ski) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells. P. watsonii extracts exhibited strong cytotoxicity on all the cancer cells studied with IC(50) values of ≤ 20.0 µg/mL. Hexane extract of P. watsonii was further subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and yielded 10 fractions (PW-1→PW-10). PW-4→PW-8 portrayed stronger cytotoxic activity and was further subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and resulted with 8 sub-fractions (PPWH-1→PPWH-8). PPWH-7 possessed greatest cytotoxicity (IC(50) values ranged from 0.66-0.83 µg/mL) and was selective on the cancer cells studied. LC-MS/MS analysis of PPWH-7 revealed the presence of ellagic acid, geranic acid, glochidone, betulin, phyllanthin and sterol glucoside. Marked morphological changes, ladder-like appearance of DNA and increment in caspase-3 activity indicating apoptosis were clearly observed in both human gynecologic and colon cancer cells treated with P. watsonii especially with PPWH-7. The study also indicated that P. watsonii extracts arrested cell cycle at different growth phases in SKOV-3, Ca Ski and HT-29 cells. Cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of the endemic P. watsonii was investigated for the first time by bioassay-guided approach. These results demonstrated that P. watsonii selectively inhibits the growth of SKOV-3, Ca Ski and HT-29 cells through apoptosis induction and cell cycle modulation. Hence, P. watsonii has the potential to be further exploited for the discovery and development of new anti cancer drugs.
This study aims to elucidate the antiproliferative mechanism of hydroxychavicol (HC). Its effects on cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in HT-29 colon cancer cells were investigated. HC was isolated from Piper betle leaf (PBL) and verified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxic effects of the standard drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), PBL water extract, and HC on HT-29 cells were measured after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment. Cell cycle and apoptosis modulation by 5-FU and HC treatments were investigated up to 30 h. Changes in phosphorylated JNK (pJNK) and P38 (pP38) MAPK expression were observed up to 18 h. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of HC (30 μg/mL) and PBL water extract (380 μg/mL) were achieved at 24 h, whereas the IC50 of 5-FU (50 μmol/L) was obtained at 72 h. Cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in HC-treated cells was observed from 12 h onwards. Higher apoptotic cell death in HC-treated cells compared to 5-FU-treated cells (P<0.05) was observed. High expression of pJNK and pP38 MAPK was observed at 12 h in HC-treated cells, but not in 5-FU-treated HT-29 cells (P<0.05). It is concluded that HC induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HT-29 cells, with these actions possibly mediated by JNK and P38 MAPK.
Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging radicals, thus providing protection to humans against infections and degenerative diseases. Literature shows that the antioxidant activity is high on herbal and vegetable plants. Realizing the fact, this research was carried out to determine total antioxidant activity and the potential anticancer properties in three types of selected local vegetable shoots such as Diplazium esculentum (paku shoot), Manihot utillissima (tapioca shoot) and Sauropous androgynus (cekur manis). The research was also done to determine the effect of boiling, on total antioxidant activity whereby samples of fresh shoots are compared with samples of boiled shoots. In every case, antioxidant activity is compared to alpha-tocopherol and two methods of extraction used are the organic and the aqueous methods. Besides that, two research methods used were the ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) with absorbance of 500nm and 532nm respectively. Oneway ANOVA test at P<0.05 determines significant differences between various samples. In the cytotoxic study, the ethanolic extract and several cell lines i.e. breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), colon cancer (Caco-2), liver cancer (HepG2) and normal liver (Chang liver) were used. The IC(50)-value was determined by using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The antioxidant study found that all the samples in both aqueous and organic extraction were significantly different. The total antioxidant activity values of aqueous extract in descending order are as follows: M. utilissima (fresh) >D. esculentum (fresh) >S.androgynus (fresh) > M.utilissima (boiled) > D. esculentum (boiled) > S.androgynus (boiled). It also was found that S.androgynus shoots ethanolic extract was able to inhibit the viability of the breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 with the IC50 value of 53.33 micrograms/ml. However, S.androgynus shoots and D. esculentum shoots ethanolic extracts did not inhibit the viability of MDA-MB-231 cell line. While, the tapioca shoot ethanolic extract was able to inhibit the viability of MCF-7 cell line with the IC(50) value of 52.49 micrograms/ml. S.androgynus shoots and D.esculentum shoots ethanolic extracts did not give an IC(50) value against the MCF-7 cell line. S.androgynus, tapioca and D.esculentum shoots ethanolic extracts did not show cytotoxic effect against the Caco-2 and HepG2. There was no IC(50)-value from any sample against Chang Liver cell line. In conclusion, the antioxidant activity of both fresh and boiled samples were higher than alpha-tocopherol, although fresh vegetable shoots were found to be higher in antioxidant activity compared to boiled shoots. This study also suggested that S.androgynus shoots and tapioca shoots have potential as an anticancer agent against certain breast tumours.
Artonin E is a prenylated flavonoid isolated from the stem bark of Artocarpus elasticus Reinw.(Moraceae). This study aimed to investigate the apoptotic mechanisms induced by artonin E in a metastatic human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 in vitro. MTT assay, clonogenic assay, acridine orange and propidium iodide double staining, cell cycle and annexin V analyses were performed to explore the mode of artonin E-induced cell death at different time points. DNA laddering, activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9, multi-parametric cytotoxicity-3 analysis by high-content screening, measurement of reactive oxygen species generation, and Western blot were employed to study the pathways involved in the apoptosis. MTT results showed that artonin E inhibited the growth of SKOV-3 cells, with IC50 values of 6.5±0.5 μg/mL after 72 h treatment, and showed less toxicity toward a normal human ovarian cell line T1074, with IC50 value of 32.5±0.5 μg/mL. Results showed that artonin E induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the S phase. This compound also promoted the activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9. Further investigation into the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c revealed that artonin E treatment induced apoptosis via regulation of the expression of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. The expression levels of survivin and HSP70 proteins were also down regulated in SKOV-3 cells treated with artonin E. We propose that artonin E induced an antiproliferative effect that led to S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through dysregulation of mitochondrial pathways, particularly the pro- and anti-apoptosis signaling pathways.
A new series of triazinoindole analogs 1-11 were synthesized, characterized by EI-MS and (1)H NMR, evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. All eleven (11) analogs showed different range of α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 value ranging between 2.46±0.008 and 312.79±0.06 μM when compared with the standard acarbose (IC50, 38.25±0.12 μM). Among the series, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 showed excellent inhibitory potential with IC50 values 2.46±0.008, 37.78±0.05, 28.91±0.0, 38.12±0.04, 37.43±0.03, 36.89±0.06 and 37.11±0.05 μM respectively. All other compounds also showed good enzyme inhibition. The binding modes of these analogs were confirmed through molecular docking.
4-Thiazolidinone analogs 1-20 were synthesized, characterized by (1)H NMR and EI-MS and investigated for urease inhibitory activity. All twenty (20) analogs exhibited varied degree of urease inhibitory potential with IC50 values 1.73-69.65μM, if compared with standard thiourea having IC50 value of 21.25±0.15μM. Among the series, eight derivatives 3, 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 19, and 20 showed outstanding urease inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 9.34±0.02, 14.62±0.03, 8.43±0.01, 7.3±0.04, 2.31±0.002, 5.75±0.003, 8.81±0.005, and 1.73±0.001μM, respectively, which is better than the standard thiourea. The remaining analogs showed good to excellent urease inhibition. The binding interactions of these compounds were confirmed through molecular docking studies.
Voglibose and acarbose are distinguished α-glucosidase inhibitors used for controlling of diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, these distinguished and clinically used inhibitors have also numerous side effects. Subsequently, there is still needed to develop safer therapy. Despite of a broad spectrum of biological importance of benzimidazole, it is occasionally evaluated for α-glucosidase activity. Current study deals with the synthesis and biological screening of benzimidazole bearing bis-Schiff bases (1-19) for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All analogues exhibited excellent to good inhibitory potential (IC50 = 2.20 ± 0.1to 88.60 ± 1.70 µM) when compared with standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 38.45 ± 0.80 µM). A structure activity relationship has been established on the basis of electronic effects and position of different substituents present on phenyl ring. In order to rationalize the binding interactions of most active analogues with the active site of α-glucosidase enzyme, molecular docking study was conducted.
The current study describes the discovery of novel inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. For that purpose, new hybrid analogs of N-hydrazinecarbothioamide substituted indazoles 4-18 were synthesized and fully characterized by EI-MS, FAB-MS, HRFAB-MS, 1H-, and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Stereochemistry of the imine double bond was established by NOESY measurements. All derivatives 4-18 with their intermediates 1-3, were evaluated for in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme inhibition. It is worth mentioning that all synthetic compounds showed good inhibition potential in the range of 1.54 ± 0.02-4.89 ± 0.02 µM for α-glucosidase and for α-amylase 1.42 ± 0.04-4.5 ± 0.18 µM in comparison with the standard acarbose (IC50 value of 1.36 ± 0.01 µM). In silico studies were carried out to rationalize the mode of binding interaction of ligands with the active site of enzymes. Moreover, enzyme inhibitory kinetic characterization was also performed to understand the mechanism of enzyme inhibition.
The enzymatic hydrolysis of lead tree seed protein with alcalase to obtain Lead Tree Seed Hydrosylate (LTSH) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A three- tiered, factor face centered, central composite design (CCD) was used to study the influence of four independent variables namely: pH (7–9); hydrolysis temperature (50oC, 55oC, 60oC); hydrolysis time (30 min, 60 min, 90 min); and enzyme/substrate (1%, 2%, 3%) ratio on both yield and antioxidant activity. The CCD consisted of twenty-four experimental points and six replicates of central points. All data were analyzed using Design-Expert Software. The optimum conditions obtained from experiments were a pH of 9; an enzyme to substrate ratio of 2%; a hydrolysis time of 90 min; and a temperature of 55°C. Results showed that LTSH derived from optimized hydrolysis exhibited effective ferrous ion chelating activity (92.79%) and strong reducing power (A700 = 3.82) at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. LTSH also demonstrated high DPPH radical scavenging activity (76.21%; IC50 1.99 mg/ml), as well as hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (66.72%; IC50 2.45 mg/ml). Superoxide anion scavenging activity was 55.71% (IC50 3.89 mg/ml) at 20 mg/ml. These results suggest that LTSH has potential as a natural antioxidant of functional food and for use in food processing.
A preliminary study was conducted to study the effects of different types and concentrations of co-solvents based on yield, composition and antioxidants capacity of extract prior to optimization studies of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of Labisia pumila (locally referred to as 'kacip fatimah'). The following co-solvents were studied prior to the optimization of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) technique: ethanol, water, methanol, as well as aqueous solutions of ethanol-water and methanol-water (50% and 70% v/v). By using the selected co-solvents, identification of phenolic acids (gallic acid, methyl gallate and caffeic acid) was determined by using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Then, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated by using three different assays: total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and free radical-scavenging capacity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). SC-CO2 with 70% ethanol-water co-solvent was superior in terms of a higher combination of phenolic compounds extracted and antioxidants capacity. Overall, SC-CO2 with co-solvent 70% ethanol-water technique was efficient in extracting phenolic compounds from L. pumila, and thus the usage of this solvent system should be considered for further optimization studies.