Search

Adenostemma madurense is one of the Asteraceae with many medical properties but has not been widely cultivated. This study aims to determine the different fertilizer doses that can produce the best growth, phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid, and the 11α-OH KA (a diterpenoid found in A. madurense productivity), resulting in the high antioxidant capacity of A. madurense. A one-factor randomized block design was employed in five fertilizer doses, control/without fertilizer, 100 % cow manure (20 tons/ha), 100 % NPK (in the form of urea, SP-36, and KCl:135, 100, 135 kg/ha, respectively), a combination of 50 % cow manure + 50 % NPK, and a combination of 100 % cow manure + 100 % NPK. Fertilizers increase plant growth. Applying the combination of 100 % cow manure + 100 % NPK was the best fertilizer composition, which produced the highest plant height, leaf, and branch number. This fertilizer combination produced total phenolic, flavonoid productivity of 739.50 μmol Gallic Acid Equivalent/plant, 97.37 μmol Quercetin Equivalent/plant, not significantly different from applying 100 % NPK and the combination of 50 % cow manure + 50 % NPK, and terpenoid productivity of 77.51 mmol Nerol Equivalent/plant. The 11α-OH KA productivity and antioxidant capacity of this fertilizer is 18.00 mM 11α-OH KA/plant and 601.76 μmol Ascorbic Acid Equivalent/g dry sample, not significantly different from applying 100 % NPK. Applying 100 % cow manure + 100 % NPK may enhance the medicinal plant A. madurense 's efficacy, especially for antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation on the fruits of Pittosporum elevaticostatum Chang et Yan led to the isolation of two undescribed metabolites (1 – 2, named pitelevatin A and B) and twelve known ones (3 – 14), including one phthalide (1), four monoquiterpenoids (2 – 5), two sesquiterpenoids (6 – 7), two diterpenoids (8 – 9), and five phenolic analogues (10 – 14). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, including high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS), one demension (1D) and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviloet (UV), electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and experimental and calculated specific optical rotation (SOR). Compounds 1 – 3 , 7 and 11 showed significant nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells by inhibiting the expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), with IC 50 values ranging from 6.35 to 25.75 μ M. Western blot analysis confirmed the results above. [Display omitted] • First report of chemical constituents of P. elevaticostatum Chang et Yan. • Fourteen compounds, including two undescribed ones were isolated and identified from P. elevaticostatum fruits. • Pitelevatin A (1) showed NO production inhibition in BV-2 cells (IC 50 6.35 µM). Western blot analysis revealed the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenoid is an important group of compounds not only as biocomponents but also as useful secondary metabolites. A volatile terpenoid 1,8-cineole, which is used as a food additive, flavoring agent, cosmetic, etc., is also attracting attention from a medical perspective due to its antiinflammation and antioxidation. The 1,8-cineole fermentation using a recombinant Escherichia coli strain has been reported, although a carbon source supplement is necessary for a high-yield 1,8-cineole production. We constructed the 1,8-cineole-producing cyanobacteria toward a carbon-free and sustainable 1,8-cineole production. cnsA, the 1,8-cineole synthase gene in Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27064, was introduced and overexpressed in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. We succeeded in producing an average of 105.6 μg g −1 wet cell weight of 1,8-cineole in S . elongatus 7942 without supplementing any carbon source. Using the cyanobacteria expression system is an efficient approach to producing 1,8-cineole by photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenoids are the largest class of natural products and are derived from C 5 isoprene units. Recent discoveries of modification enzymes in native isoprene units before cyclization or transfer reactions have revealed that C 5 units with additional carbon atoms are also used to produce terpenoids. These reports indicate that the utilization of these modification enzymes is useful for the enzymatic production of non-natural terpenoids. In this study, we have attempted to produce methylgeranyl polyphenols, which are not observed in nature, by combining a geranyl pyrophosphate C6 methyltransferase, BezA, which was discovered from the benzastatin biosynthetic pathway, and the promiscuous prenyltransferase NphB, which catalyzes prenylation of various flavonoids. We successfully synthesized five methylgeranylated flavonoids from naringenin, apigenin, and genistein. This result demonstrates that BezA is a powerful tool for the synthesis of novel non-natural terpenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpene synthase (TS) from Bacillus alcalophilus (BalTS) is the only Class IB TS for which a 3D structure has been elucidated. Recently, geranyl-β-phellandrene, a novel cyclic diterpene, was identified as a product of BalTS in addition to the acyclic β-springene. In the present study, we have provided insight into the mechanism of geranyl-β-phellandrene formation. Deuterium labeling experiments revealed that the compound is produced via a 1,3-hydride shift. In addition, nonenzymatic reactions using divalent metal ions were performed. The enzyme is essential for the geranyl-β-phellandrene formation. Furthermore, BalTS variants targeting tyrosine residues enhanced the yield of geranyl-β-phellandrene and the proportion of the compound of the total products. It was suggested that the expansion of the active site space may allow the conformation of the intermediates necessary for cyclization. The present study describes the first Class IB TSs to successfully alter product profiles while retaining high enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Societe et Environnement is the property of Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a substantial threat the environment, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Phytoremediation emerges as a cost-efficient and eco-friendly approach for reducing Cd levels in the soil. In this study, the suitability of A. venetum for ameliorating Cd-contaminated soils was evaluated. Mild Cd stress promoted seedling and root growth, with the root being identified as the primary tissue for Cd accumulation. The Cd content of roots ranged from 0.35 to 0.55 mg/g under treatment with 10–50 µM CdCl 2 ·2.5 H 2 O, and the bioaccumulation factor ranged from 28.78 to 84.43. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 20,292 unigenes, and 7507 nonredundant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified across five comparison groups. DEGs belonging to the "MAPK signaling pathway-plant," "monoterpenoid biosynthesis," and "flavonoid biosynthesis pathway" exhibited higher expression levels in roots compared to stems and leaves. In addition, cytokinin-related DEGs, ROS scavenger genes, such as P450 , glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the cell wall biosynthesis-related genes, CSLG and D-GRL , were also upregulated in the root tissue, suggesting that Cd promotes root development. Conversely, certain ABC transporter genes, (e.g, NRAMP5), and some vacuolar iron transporters, predominantly expressed in the roots, displayed a strong correlation with Cd content, revealing the mechanism underlying the compartmentalized storage of Cd in the roots. KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that the pathways associated with the biosynthesis of flavonoids, lignin, and some terpenoids were significantly enriched in the roots under Cd stress, underscoring the pivotal role of these pathways in Cd detoxification. Our study suggests A. venetum as a potential Cd-contaminated phytoremediation plant and provides insights into the molecular-level mechanisms of root development promotion and accumulation mechanism in response to Cd stress. • Apocynum venetum is a promising candidate for Cd phytoremediation. • Cadmium stress promotes A. venetum seedling root development. • Root is the main tissue of cadmium accumulation in A. venetum. • Enhanced phenylpropanoid and terpenoid metabolism likely boosts Cd tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three new terpenoids (2 – 4) were obtained from Trichoderma asperellum A-YMD-9-2. • Isolate 2 may be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of harziandione from harzianone. • Isolates 3 and 4 represent the second occurrence of cadinanes in Trichoderma. In addition to the known harziandione (1), one new diterpenoid, 3 S -hydroxyharzianone (2), and two new sesquiterpenoids, 4-cadinen-11,12-diol (3) and 4-cadinen-11,13-diol (4), were isolated from the culture of Trichoderma asperellum A-YMD-9-2, an endophytic fungal strain from the marine red alga Gracilaria verrucosa. The structures and relative configurations of new isolates were established by analysis of spectroscopic techniques, including 1D/2D NMR, IR, and MS, and their absolute configurations, except for those at C-11 of 3 and 4 , were assigned by comparison of the ECD curve or specific optical rotation data with those of analogues. Compound 2 may be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of harziandione from harzianone, while 3 and 4 represent the second occurrence of cadinane sesquiterpenoids in Trichoderma. Compounds 2 − 4 exhibited potent inhibition of several marine phytoplankton species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study demonstrated the selective production of a single acyclic monoterpene, β-myrcene, by photosynthetic, clonal microplantlet suspension cultures of the macrophytic red alga Ochtodes secundiramea (Cryptonemiales, Rhizophyllidaceae). Microplantlets were cultivated within an airlift photobioreactor under continuous medium perfusion with enhanced nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) and 3500 ppm CO 2 in the aeration gas to provide nutrient-replete conditions. The removal of bromide (Br-) and vanadate (VO 4 3−) from the medium shut down bromoperoxidase-catalyzed halogenation, so that only the common precursor to halogenated monoterpenes, β-myrcene, accumulated within the biomass. Nutrient-replete cultivation enabled near-exponential biomass production to density of 6 g DW/L, with specific growth rate of 4.4 ± 0.1% per day over the 36 day cultivation period at near-saturation light intensity. Myrcene was produced during biomass production, and the specific rate of β-myrcene production within the biomass exceeded the specific rate of biomass production, so that β-myrcene accumulated within the biomass. Increasing the mean light intensity from approximately 60 to 95% of light saturation linearly increased the growth rate, but did not increase the specific rate of β-myrcene production. At near saturation light intensity, the specific rate of β-myrcene production was 6.8 ± 0.7% per day (1.0 S.E.) with yield of 40 μmol/g DW after 36 days. Although the yields of β-myrcene were low (0.6 wt% in biomass), the potential for high biomass density, ease of microplantlet separation, and high selectivity of hydrocarbon biosynthesis suggest that microplantlets of terpenoid-producing red macroalgae have promise as a new platform for advanced hydrocarbon biofuel production from CO 2 , provided new strategies can be developed to enhance monoterpene yield. Highlights • Clonal microplantlets of the red macroalga Ochtodes secundiramea selectively produced the monoterpene β-myrcene. • Perfusion cultivation in bromide-free medium shut down bio-halogenation processes. • Myrcene production rate exceeded growth rate and accumulated within biomass. • Growth rate was dependent on light intensity but myrcene production was not. • Yield of myrcene, a C 10 hydrocarbon biofuel precursor, was 40 μmol/g DW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to find out the role of terpenoid compounds as potential inhibitors against certain protein targets of dengue virus. The 2-dimensional structures of terpenoid compounds were retrieved from the PubChem database. They were analysed for their interactions with target proteins of dengue virus such as envelope (1OKE), NS5 (1R6A-RPV & SHA) and NS2B/NS3 (4M9K) by docking studies followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using Schrödinger software, version 10.7. Out of 513 terpenoid compounds studied, malacitanolide showed the highest interaction energy values of −7.072 kcal/mol (hydrogen bond (HB) interactions with Thr280, Gln200, Gln271, Gln49 and Ala50), −5.295 kcal/mol (HB interactions with Ser150, Lys29, Ser214) and −4.030 kcal/mol (HB interactions with Glu1169 and Asn1119) against 1OKE, 1R6A-RPV and 4M9K targets, respectively. Paclitaxel had shown the interaction energy value of −9.334 kcal/mol (HB with Lys61, Asp146, Trp87, Gly148, and Arg84) with 1R6A-SAH. MD simulation studies revealed that the best interacting compound malacitanolide maintained a stable complex with 1OKE of dengue virus. Malacitanolide, reissantin E, and paclitaxel exhibited very good interactions with all three-protein targets of dengue virus and had also shown significant stability. In the present study, it is concluded that the terpenoid compounds malacitanolide, reissantin E, and paclitaxel could act as potential inhibitors against all three target proteins of dengue virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Three new 7-oxoabietane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. • Structures of these isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. • Two 7-oxoabietane-type diterpenoids exhibited xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Abstract Three new 7-oxoabietane-type diterpenoids, 3-oxosugiol methyl ether (1), 18-hydroxysugiol (2), and 1β-hydroxysugiol (3), as well as two known 7-oxoabietane-type diterpenoids, 6α-hydroxysugiol (4) and 6α-acetoxysugiol (5), were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were elucidated mainly by NMR and HREIMS, as well as on comparison with the data of known analogues. At the concentration of 75 μM, compounds 2 and 5 exhibited 11.9 and 21.7% xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new sesquarterpenoids, i.e. ferrugicadinol A ( 1 ) and ferrugicryptomeridiol ( 3 ), and one known sesquarterpenoid, ferrugicadinol ( 2 ) were isolated from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Their structures were identified by extensive spectral analysis and comparison with the data of known analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phytochemical investigation from methanol extract of Achillea millefolium , (Asteraceae) resulted in the isolation of one new lignan, (+)-lyoniresinol 4- O -α- l −arabinofuranoside ( 1 ) and one new terpenoid, achiterpenoside A ( 2 ), together with four other known compounds, named as Achillinin A ( 3 ), (+)-lyoniresinol ( 4 ), luteolin ( 5 ), camazulene ( 6 ). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated based on various spectroscopic data, including IR, HR-EI-MS, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HSQC, and compared with previous literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apiospora and Arthrinium have undergone a period of upheaval with disparate phylogenic affiliation during the past ten years. Recently, they were divided into two separate clades with the majority being Apiospora and several species changing genus from Arthrinum to Apiospora. The first genome annotation became available in 2020, and the potential for novel secondary metabolite production appears very high in these yet unexplored genera compared to other more famous filamentous fungi. In this review, we present the current state of knowledge of 269 secondary metabolites isolated from the two fungal genera combined and highlight some of the compounds with known biological or toxic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reveals antimicrobial potentials and phytochemical analysis of A. javanica and L. ustitatissimum. Phytochemical analysis indicated that the tested plants contained a substantial amount of flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids while saponins and tannins were absent in L. ustitatissimum, however, tannins were present in A. javanica. L. ustitatissimum contained maximum total phenolic content of 166.36mg/g in methylated spirit fraction while its ethyl acetate fraction contained highest quantity of flavonoids 27.6mg/g in case of Aerva javanica. Antimicrobial potentials of the subject plants revealed that L. ustitatissimum had maximum antibacterial activity (MIC=4.33μg/ml) while A. javanica was most effective against fungal strains (MIC=2.66μg/ml). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed at isolation and purification of the bioactive terpenoids from the herb of Leonurus japonicus by chromatographic separations such as silica gel, sephadex LH-20 and C 18 reversed phase silica gel, as well as preparative HPLC. As a result, leojaponic acids A ( 1 , C 17 H 24 O 4 ) and B ( 2 , C 18 H 26 O 4 ), two homologous terpenoids, together with (−)-loliolide ( 3 ), 1-(3-ethylphenyl) ethane-1, 2-diol ( 4 ) and dibutyl phthalate ( 5 ), were isolated from the EtOH extract of L. japonicus. All the chemical structures of the isolates were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 were new terpenoids, and Compounds 3 and 4 were isolated and identified for the first time from this plant. In addition, the α-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the new compounds were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe inflammation of the lungs results from acute lung injury (ALI), a common life-threatening lung disease with a high mortality rate. The ligand-activated transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ plays essential roles in diverse biological processes including inflammation, metabolism, development, and immune response. Salvianolactone acid A (SA) is a terpenoid derived from the herb Salvia miltiorrhiza. However, there is a scarcity of experimental evidence indicating whether the effect of SA on ALI occurs via PPAR-γ.Methods: SA (20 or 40 mg/kg, i.g., 1 time/day) was administered to mice for 3 d, followed by the induction of ALI by intranasal lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg). The lung function and levels of inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), immune cells, apoptosis, and PPAR-γ were examined. The antagonistic activity of GW9662 (GW, 1 µM, specific PPAR-γ blocker) and PPAR-γ transfection silencing against SA (10 μM) in BEAS-2B cells induced by LPS (10 μg/ml, 24 h) was also investigated to assess whether the observed effects caused by SA were mediated by PPAR-γ.Results: The results showed that lung histopathological injury, the B-line, the fluorescence intensity of live small animal, and the biomarkers in BALF or lung in the treatment of SA could regulate significantly. In addition, SA obviously decreased the levels of ROS and apoptosis in the primary lung cells, and MDA, increased the levels of GSH-Px and SOD. SA reduced levels of macrophages and neutrophils. Furthermore, SA reduced the protein levels of Keap-1, Cleaved-caspase-3, Cleaved-caspase-9, p-p65/p65, NLRP3, IL-1β, and upregulated the levels of p-Nrf2/Nrf2, HO-1, Bcl-2/Bax, PPAR-γ, p-AMPK/AMPK in lung tissue. In addition, silencing and inhibition of PPAR-γ effectively decreased the protective effects of SA in BEAS-2B cells induced by LPS, which might indicate that the active molecules of SA regulate ALI via mediation by PPAR-γ, which exhibited that the effect of SA related to PPAR-γ.Conclusions: The anti-ALI effects of SA were partially mediated through PPAR-γ signaling. These data provide the molecular justification for the usage of SA in treating ALI and can assist in increasing the comprehensive utilization rate of Salvia miltiorrhiza. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We cloned and analyzed the two genes of the 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-( E )-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase ( HDR ) gene family from Huperzia serrate . The two transcripts coding HDR, named HsHDR1 and HsHDR2 , were discovered in the transcriptome dataset of H. serrate and were cloned by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The physicochemical properties, protein domains, protein secondary structure, and 3D structure of the putative HsHDR1 and HsHDR2 proteins were analyzed. The full-length cDNA of the HsHDR1 gene contained 1431 bp encoding a putative protein with 476 amino acids, whereas the HsHDR2 gene contained 1428 bp encoding a putative protein of 475 amino acids. These two proteins contained the conserved domain of 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-( E )-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase (PF02401), but without the transmembrane region and signal peptide. The most abundant expression of HsHDR1 and HsHDR2 was detected in H. serrate roots, followed by the stems and leaves. Our results provide a foundation for exploring the function of HsHDR1 and HsHDR2 in terpenoid and sterol biosynthesis in Huperziaceae plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore whether its antiplasmodium effect of andrographolide is attributed to its plausible effect on the plasma membrane of both Plasmodium falciparum infected and non-infected RBCs. Methods Anti-plasmodium effect of andrographolide against Plasmodium falciparum strains was screened using the conventional malaria drug sensitivity assay. The drug was incubated with uninfected RBCs to monitor its effect on their morphology, integrity and osmotic fragility. It was incubated with the plasmodium infected RBCs to monitor its effect on the parasite induced permeation pathways. Its effect on the potential of merozoites to invade new RBCs was tested using merozoite invasion assay. Results It showed that at andrographolide was innocuous to RBCs at concentrations approach its therapeutic level against plasmodia. Nevertheless, this inertness was dwindled at higher concentrations. Conclusions In spite of its success to inhibit plasmodium induced permeation pathway and the potential of merozoites to invade new RBCs, its anti-plasmodium effect can't be attributed to these functions as they were attained at concentrations higher than what is required to eradicate the parasite. Consequently, other mechanisms may be associated with its claimed actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenoids are a diverse class of naturally occurring compounds consisting of more than 50,000 structurally different molecules and are found in all living organisms. Many terpenoid compounds, in particular those isolated from plants, have applications in various commercial sectors including medicine, agriculture and cosmetics. However, these high value terpenoids are produced in relatively small quantities in their natural hosts and their chemical synthesis for large scale production is costly and complicated. Therefore, there is much focus on producing these compounds in novel biological hosts using metabolic engineering technologies. As a photosynthetic system, the unicellular green alga C. reinhardtii is of particular interest as the most well-studied model alga with well-established molecular tools for genetic manipulation. However, the direct manipulation of terpenoid biosynthetic pathways in C. reinhardtii necessitates a thorough understanding of the basic terpenoid metabolism. To gain a better understanding of the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway that leads to terpenoid biosynthesis in the chloroplast of C. reinhardtii , hence this study has investigated the effect of over-expressing 1-deoxy- d -xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) on plastidic downstream terpenoids. We produced marker-free chloroplast transformants of C. reinhardtii lines that express an additional cyanobacterial gene for DXS. The analysis of terpenoid content for the transgenic line demonstrates that overexpressing DXS resulted in a two-fold decrease in the chlorophyll levels while carotenoid levels showed variable changes: zeaxanthin and antherxanthin levels increased several-fold, lutein levels dropped to approximately half, but β-carotene and violaxanthin did not show a significant change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent worldwide outbreak of SARS-COV-2 pandemic has increased the thirst to discover and introduce antiviral drugs to combat it. The bioactive compounds from plant sources, especially terpenoid have protease inhibition activities so these may be much effective for the control of viral epidemics and may reduce the burden on health care system worldwide. Present study aims the use of terpenoid from selected plant source through bioinformatics tools for the inhibition of SARS-COV-2. This study is based on descriptive analysis. The Protein Data Bank and PubChem database were used for the analysis of SARS-COV-2 protease and plant source terpenoids. Molecular docking by using molegro virtual docker (MVD) software was carried out. The findings of study are based on the inhibitory actions of different plant sourced terpenoid against SARS-COV-2. As per the available resources and complementary analysis these phytochemicals have capacity to inhibit 3CLpro protease. The study reports that (3,3-dimethylally) isoflavone (Glycine max), licoleafol (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), myricitrin (Myrica cerifera), thymoquinone (Nigella sativa), bilobalide, ginkgolide A (Ginkgo biloba), Salvinorin A (Salvia divinorum), citral (Backhousia citriodora) and prephenazine (drug) showed high activity against SARS-COV-2 protease 3CLpro. The drug like and ADMET properties revealed that these compounds can safely be used as drugs. Cross structural analysis by using bioinformatics study concludes that these plant source terpenoid compounds can be effectively used as antiprotease drugs for SARS-COV-2 in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Piperitenone oxide in spearmint was identified as a functional food ingredient. [•] It is the first potential medical benefit of anticarcinogenic properties. [•] It can induce differentiation of the RCM-1 human colon cancer cells. [•] The effective dose is the lowest among the other differentiation-inducers. [•] Monoterpenes such as carvone and menthol do not show the effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The terpenes of the flowers of Kaunia lasiophthalma were investigated. [•] Kaunial (1) is a new triterpene with a novel carbon skeleton. [•] A biogenetic route to 1 is proposed. [•] 1 was shown to possess high cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a research on the root bark of Tripterygium hypoglaucum, a medicinal shrub found in Yunnan, China, Sichuan, China and Guizhou, China, conducted to assess the bioactive constituents responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. Topics include use of spectroscopic analyses to elucidate the structure of esquiterpenes and diterpenes, inhibitory effect of terpenoids on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, and use of the root's methanol extract.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, hyperglycaemia speed up the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), leading to oxidative stress and various diabetic complications. In order to identify natural products with potential antioxidant and antiglycative properties, six herbal plants, namely Musa acuminata (flower buds), Bletilla striata (rhizomes), Amomum villosum (dried nuts), Moghania philippinensis (roots), Millettia speciosa (rhizomes), and Spatholobus suberectus (stems) were assessed for their antioxidant and antiglycative properties. Among all the selected samples, both water and ethanolic extracts of S. suberectus possessed the highest phenolic, flavonoid and triterpenoid contents, ranging from three to six-fold higher than other plant extracts. In consistent with its phytochemical content, S. suberectus also showed the highest antioxidant activities which are comparable, if not higher than the known antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin and ursolic acid. Similarly, S. suberectus also displayed the highest antiglycative activities among the six herbal plants measured by two glycation assays using bovine serum albumin-glucose and bovine serum albumin-methylglyoxal as model systems. HPLC-QToF-MS/MS analysis identified 48 polyphenols and 76 terpenoids, from the water and ethanolic extracts of S. suberectus , where 12 polyphenols and 9 terpenoids are common in both extracts. The results also suggested that S. suberectus contains compounds such as quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and saponin derivatives, which were reported to exert high antioxidant and antiglycative properties. The high antioxidant and antiglycative properties suggest the great potential of S. suberectus in preventing the formation of AGEs and oxidative stress seen in type 2 diabetes. [Display omitted] • Spatholobus suberectus possesses high levels of polyphenols and triterpenoids. • Phytochemicals from Spatholobus suberectus exhibit high antioxidant activities. • Antiglycative ability of Spatholobus suberectus is comparable to commercial drug. • HPLC-QToF-MS/MS analysis reveals potential antioxidant and antiglycative compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the biosynthesis of sesquarterpenes, a class of a group of unsaturated hydrocarbons called terpenes, produced by cyclization of a linear Carbon (C)35 isoprenoid in the bacteria species Bacillus and Mycobacterium. It shows that a bifunctional terpene cyclase involved in the biosynthesizes of two classes of cyclic terpenes is present in Bacillus species. The study reveals bifunctional Z-prenyltransferase in Mycobacterium species.

The article presents a study concerning acetate in relation to enzymatic total synthesis of Gibberellin. It mentions that natural terpenoids have various bioactivities and structures that make difficult in their synthesis and labeling with isotopes. It reports an enzymatic total synthesis of plant hormone gibberellins (GAs).

The article discusses a study which examines the identification of trichoderonic acids A and B, novel terpenoids and heptelidic acid from Trichoderma virens. Findings of the study reveal that these compounds inhibited the activities of mammalian DNA polymerases and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) in the families of mammalian pols. It indicates that the compounds' structures were identified through spectroscopic analysis.

The article focuses on the study regarding the novel compounds found from non-pathogenic mycobacterium species. It says that the study, which uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra on the extracts of various mycobacterium species, highlights the isolation of unknown compounds from culture cells. It shows that octahydroheptaprenyl mycolic acyl ester and monocyclic C35-terpene, heptaprenylcycline B, novel compounds were formed by a mycolate on the study using a P450 inhibitor.

Studies the enantioselective total synthesis of enokipodins A-D. Absolute configuration of the enokipodins; Constitution of formal enantioselective synthesis of (S)-1,4-cuparenediol and (S)-cuparene-1,4-quinone; Assessment of the two contiguous quaternary asymmetric centers on the cyclopentane ring.

The article presents a study which examines the production of prenyl alcohol by Escherichia coli in the expression of Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) genes. It states the increase in the production of farnesol when the pyruvic acid-producing strain of E. coli was combined with the overexpression of the genes. It also notes the high production yield of geranylgeranoil in mutated FPP and overexpressed isopentenyl disphosphate.

This is a new Escherichia coli K12 assay system designed to detect bioantimutagens, agents that prevent mutagenesis by modulating DNA repair and replication. The test consists of a set of strains aimed at the detection of induced (Test A) and spontaneous (Test B) mutations and at the estimation of the mechanisms of antimutagenic action (TestsB, C, and D). The assay system is intended to screen different extracts of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) containing terpenoids. The results obtained by comparing model bioantimutagens with sage extracts indicate that bioantimutagenic agents from cultivated sage act as enhancers of error-free recombinational repair. Because cellular DNA repair is strongly conserved between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, bioantimutagens from plant extracts could be used in intervention strategies against cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]