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The fungal plasma membrane H + -ATPase (Pma1p) is a potential target for the discovery of new antifungal agents. Surprisingly, no structure-activity relationship studies for small molecules targeting Pma1p have been reported. Herein, we disclose a LEGO-inspired fragment assembly strategy for the design, synthesis, and discovery of benzo[d]thiazoles containing a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety as potential Pma1p inhibitors. A series of 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanones was found to inhibit Pma1p, with the most potent IC 50 value of 8 μm in an in vitro plasma membrane H + -ATPase assay. These compounds were also found to strongly inhibit the action of proton pumping when Pma1p was reconstituted into liposomes. 1-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-((6-(trifluoromethyl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)thio)ethan-1-one (compound 38) showed inhibitory activities on the growth of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which could be correlated and substantiated with the ability to inhibit Pma1p in vitro., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

P-type ATPases catalyze the active transport of cations and phospholipids across biological membranes. Members of this large family are involved in a range of fundamental cellular processes. To date, a substantial number of P-type ATPase inhibitors have been characterized, some of which are used as drugs. In this work a library of natural compounds was screened and we first identified curcuminoids as plasma membrane H+-ATPases inhibitors in plant and fungal cells. We also found that some of the commercial curcumins contain several curcuminoids. Three of these were purified and, among the curcuminoids, demethoxycurcumin was the most potent inhibitor of all tested P-type ATPases from fungal (Pma1p; H+-ATPase), plant (AHA2; H+-ATPase) and animal (SERCA; Ca2+-ATPase) cells. All three curcuminoids acted as non-competitive antagonist to ATP and hence may bind to a highly conserved allosteric site of these pumps. Future research on biological effects of commercial preparations of curcumin should consider the heterogeneity of the material., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

During the screening program for anti-influenza agents from medicinal plants, the ethanolic extract of Cleistocalyx operculatus leaves was found to exhibit potential neuraminidase (NA) inhibitory activity. Bioassay-directed fractionation led to the isolation of two new acetophenones (1 and 2) and one new flavanone (3), along with six known compounds (4-9). The structures of all isolated compounds were elucidated using various spectroscopic methods and through comparison with the previous literature. Compounds 6 and 8 exhibited strong enzymatic inhibition on various neuraminidases from different influenza viruses, including H1N1, H9N2, novel H1N1, and oseltamivir-resistant novel H1N1 (H274Y mutation) expressed in HEK293 cells (IC50 values ranging from 5.07 ± 0.94 μM to 9.34 ± 2.52 μM, respectively). Kinetic experiments revealed the non-competitive inhibitory mode of both compounds 6 and 8. Furthermore, these flavonoids reduced the cytopathic effect of the H1N1 virus in MDCK cells. The present study suggests the potential of two flavonoids (6 and 8) as new lead compounds for the development of novel NA inhibitors in the future., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract of the root of Erythrina addisoniae (Leguminosae) resulted in the isolation of four new (1-4), along with 2 known prenylated isoflavonoids (5-6). The structures of the isolates were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, focusing on interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR, and MS data. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), as well as their growth inhibition on MCF7, adriamycin-resistant MCF7 (MCF7/ADR), and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Compounds which exhibited PTP1B inhibitory activity (IC(50) values ranging from 4.6 ± 0.3 to 24.2 ± 2.1 μM) showed potential cytotoxic activity (IC(50) values ranging from 3.97 ± 0.17 to 11.4 ± 1.9 μM). Taken together, our data suggest that prenylated isoflavonoids, especially the isoflavone-type skeleton could be considered as new lead compounds against breast cancer via PTP1B inhibition., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The emergence of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic has the possibility to develop the occurrence of disaster- or drug-resistant viruses by additional reassortments in novel influenza A virus. In the course of an anti-influenza screening program for natural products, 10 xanthone derivatives (1-10) were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from the EtOAc-soluble extract of Polygala karensium. Compounds 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 with a hydroxy group at C-1 showed strong inhibitory effects on neuraminidases from various influenza viral strains, H1N1, H9N2, novel H1N1 (WT), and oseltamivir-resistant novel H1N1 (H274Y) expressed in 293T cells. In addition, these compounds reduced the cytopathic effect of H1N1 swine influenza virus in MDCK cells. Our results suggest that xanthones from P. karensium may be useful in the prevention and treatment of disease by influenza viruses., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In the course of our program to search for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPB) inhibitors, five new 5-deoxyflavonoids along with eight known derivatives were isolated from EtOAc layer of the root bark of Erythrina abyssinica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic (IR, UV, MS, CD, 1D- and 2D-NMR) and physicochemical analyses. All isolates exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on the enzyme assay with IC₅₀ values ranging from 14.9 ± 1.6 to 98.1 ± 11.3 μM. Compounds with prenyl and methoxy groups in the B ring (1, 2, 4, 8, and 13) possessed strong activity (IC(50) 14.9 ± 1.6 to 19.2 ± 1.1 μM), while compounds (3, 5, and 9) with 2,2-dimethylpyrano ring showed less inhibitory effect (IC₅₀ 22.6 ± 2.3 to 72.9 ± 9.7 μM). These results suggest that prenyl and methoxy groups may be responsible for the increase on the activity of 5-deoxyflavonoids against PTP1B, but the presence of 2,2-dimethylpyrano ring on the B ring may be induced the decrease of PTP1B inhibitory activity., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The emergence of highly pathogenic influenza A virus strains, such as the new H1N1 swine influenza (novel influenza), represents a serious threat to global human health. During our course of an anti-influenza screening program on natural products, one new licochalcone G (1) and seven known (2-8) chalcones were isolated as active principles from the acetone extract of Glycyrrhiza inflata. Compounds 3 and 6 without prenyl group showed strong inhibitory effects on various neuraminidases from influenza viral strains, H1N1, H9N2, novel H1N1 (WT), and oseltamivir-resistant novel H1N1 (H274Y) expressed in 293T cells. In addition, the efficacy of oseltamivir with the presence of compound 3 (5 μM) was increased against H274Y neuraminidase. This evidence of synergistic effect makes this inhibitor to have a potential possibility for control of pandemic infection by oseltamivir-resistant influenza virus., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract of the stem bark of Erythrina lysistemon Hutch. resulted in isolation of pterocarpans (1-3), named erylysins A-C, along with nine known pterocarpans (4-12). Their structures were determined to be 3''-hydroxy-2',2'-dimethylpyrano[6',5':3,4]-2'',2''-dimethyldihydropyrano[6'',5'':9,10]pterocarpan (1), furano[5',4':3,4]-9-hydroxy-10-prenylpterocarpan (2), and 8-formyl-3,9-dihydroxy-4,10-diprenylpterocarpan (3), based on spectroscopic analyses. All the isolates, with the exception of 3, 6, and 11, strongly inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity in an in vitro assay, with IC(50) values ranging from 1.01+/-0.3 to 18.1+/-0.9 microg/mL. This is the first report showing the potential of prenylated pterocarpans as a class of natural PTP1B inhibitors.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract of the stem bark of Erythrina abyssinica (Leguminosae) resulted in the isolation of three new (1-3), along with 12 known (4-15) pterocarpan derivatives. Their chemical structures were determined by physicochemical and spectroscopic data analysis (IR, UV, [alpha](D), CD, 1D and 2D NMR, and MS data). All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B), as well as their growth inhibition on MCF7, tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 (MCF7/TAMR), adriamycin-resistant MCF7 (MCF7/ADR) and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Compounds which exhibited PTP1B inhibitory activity (IC(50) values ranging from 4.2+/-0.2 to 19.3+/-0.3 microM) showed strong cytotoxic activity (IC(50) values from 5.6+/-0.7 to 28.0+/-0.2 microM). Our data suggested that pterocarpans could be considered as new anticancer materials by PTP1B inhibition.

A number of thioflavones has been synthesized and evaluated for their iNOS inhibitory activities. Thiowogonin (6) was obtained from naturally occurring chrysin in 5 steps. Other thioflavones were prepared from the corresponding flavones in a single step by the reaction with Lawesson's reagent. The biological activities of thioflavones were not enhanced by the functional group conversion from carbonyl to thiocarbonyl. Compounds 11 and 13 showed potent NO inhibitory activity at high concentration (40 uM), leading to the possible development of novel neuroprotective agents based on wogonin.