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Hyperpatone A (1), a highly oxidated polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP), with good cytotoxic and anti-flammatory activities was isolated from Hypericum patulum under the guidance of LC-MS investigation.

A new quinoline alkaloid, 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenylquinoline-4-one (1), and seventeen known quinoline alkaloids (2-18) were isolated from the roots of Orixa japonica. The structure of 1 was determined by analysis of spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 2, 3, and 13 were isolated from this plant for the first time. All isolates were screened for the anti-pathogenic fungi activities, including Rhizoctonia solani, Magnaporthe oryzae, and Phomopsis sp.. The results showed that five compounds (4, 8, 10, 11, and 12) exhibited significant anti-pathogenic fungi effects at 50.0 μg/mL. In special, compound 10 exhibited the best antifungal activities toward R. solani and M. oryzae with the IC50 values of 37.86 and 44.72 μM, respectively, better than that of the positive control, hymexazol (IC50 121.21 and 1518.18 μM, respectively). Moreover, eleven new quinoline alkaloids derivatives (12a-12k) were designed and synthesized to investigate the structure-activity relationships (SARs). The SARs analysis indicated that the furo [2, 3-b] quinoline skeleton and the methoxy at C-7 (compounds 8, 11, and 12) played a key role for improving the antifungal activities.

Hyperpatone A (1), a highly oxidated polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP), along with a biosynthesized related PPAP (2) was isolated from

Hypermonins A-D (1-4), four rearranged nor-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) with unprecedented skeletons, together with two new biosynthesis related PPAPs (5 and 6) were isolated and identified from the flowers of Hypericum monogynum. Hypermoins A-D represented the first examples of highly modified norPPAPs characterized by a rare 7/6/6/5-tetracyclic system. From the biogenic synthesis pathway analysis, all isolates shared the same biosynthetic intermediate, and the addition of two methyls or one methyl to this intermediate through methyltranferase could generate different types of PPAPs (1-7). Their planner structures as well as absolute configuration were confirmed via spectroscopic analysis, ECD calculation, and X-ray crystallography. All isolates potentially reversed multidrug resistance (MDR) activity in both two cancer cells, HepG2/ADR and MCF-7/ADR. Specifically, hypermoin E (5) and hyperielliptone HA (7) were found to be the best MDR modulators with the reversal fold ranging from 41 to 236, which is higher than the positive control verapamil.

Hymoins A-D (1-4), two pairs of light-induced transformative polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols with an unprecedented pentacyclic skeleton, were isolated from the flowers of Hypericum monogynum. The first decarbonylative ring contraction of complex natural products was investigated by light irradiation. Their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, X-ray crystallography, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. In addition, compound 3 showed moderate inhibition efficacy of the platelet-activating-factor-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets.

Hypsampsone A (1) and hyperhexanone F (2), two novel seco-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, were isolated from Hypericum sampsonii. Hypsampsone A (1) features the first spirocyclic system fused with 5/6/5/5 tetracyclic skeleton. Hyperhexanone F (2) represents the second novel 1,2-seco-bicyclo[3.3.1]-PPAP skeleton. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, computer-assisted structure elucidation software, and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. A plausible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate multidrug resistance reversal activity to adriamycin (ADR) resistant cancer cell lines, HepG2/ADR and MCF-7/ADR, with the fold-reversals ranging from 16 to 38 at noncytotoxic concentration of 10 μM.

Two new isoflavones (

Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of five new sesquiterpeniod esters, named balsamiferine N-R, along with ten known compounds (6-15) from the leaves of Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. The skel...

Two novel polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), hyperfols A (1) and B (2), and two known biosynthetically related precursors (3 and 4) were isolated from Hypericum perforatum. Compound 1 possesses an unprecedented 2,3-seco-PPAP with a fused 5/5/9/5 tetracyclic skeleton, and 2 features a 30-norPPAP. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, computer-assisted structure elucidation software, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Moreover, compounds 1 and 4 exhibit significant cytotoxicity against human erythroleukemia cells by inducing cell apoptosis.

Three new compounds named cynansteroid A (1), cynansteroid B (2) and cynansteroid C (3), together with nine known C

Prenylated chalcones are found mainly in plants and exhibit diverse biological and pharmacological activities. Some of these compounds are components of food and dietary supplements with significant health benefits. In plants, they are derived from chalcones by prenylation with membrane-bound prenyltransferases. In this study, we demonstrate prenylations of 10 chalcones by two fungal prenyltransferases (AtaPT/AnaPT) in the presence of dimethylallyl diphosphate. Eleven mono

Two new (

Seven new acylated C-glycosylflavones, oreocharioside A-G, together with two known compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Oreocharis auricula. Their structures were characterized by the comprehensive analysis of their NMR, IR, UV, CD spectra and HRESIMS data. All the new compounds were evaluated for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 had significant DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, with the IC

Three new aglain derivatives (1-3), one known aglain derivative (4), two known rocaglamide derivatives (5 and 6), four known triterpenoids (7-10), and three steroids (11-13) were isolated from Aglaia odorata Lour. Their structures were established through the analysis of detailed spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Five compounds (1 and 4-7) exhibited cytotoxic activities on human leukemia cells (HEL) and human breast cancer cells with IC

Hypericum monogynum L. (Hypericaceae) has been used as a folk Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory related diseases. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a crucial target for the development of agents to treat inflammation. To search for anti-inflammatory compounds from traditional Chinese medicines, a chemical constituent study along with COX-2 inhibitory activity analysis was performed for this plant. In this study, sixteen chemical monomers, including three undescribed oxidative degradation polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs, hypemoins C–E), two undescribed PPAPs (hypemoins A and B), and 11 known compounds, were identified from the flowers of H. monogynum. Their structures were characterized by HRESIMS, NMR techniques, ECD, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Four flavonoid derivatives showed remarkable COX-2 inhibitory activities, with IC50 values ranging from 0.220 ± 0.006 to 1.655 ± 0.098 μM. Among these compounds, the possible recognition mechanism between quercetin 3-(6″-O-caffeoyl)-β-3-D-galactoside and COX-2 was predicted by molecular docking analysis. Moreover, the multidrug resistance reversal activities for the selected compounds were evaluated.

A new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP), hypermonin C (1), along with nine known PPAPs (2–10) were obtained from the leaves and twigs of Hypericum monogynum. The structures of the isolates were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The neuroprotective effects of the isolates against several chemical-induced injuries in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells were assessed, and most of the compounds exhibited significant protective effects at 10 μg/ml. Especially, three compounds (1, 3, and 7) showed excellent neuroprotective activity with a cell viability of 92.4% ∼ 95.8% in KCl-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury. Their preliminary structure-activity relationship was also discussed and the configuration of substituent in furohyperforin may be critical for the neuroprotective activity of PPAP derivatives.

Citridones E–G (1–3), three new phenylpyridone derivatives together with two known curvularins (4 and 5) were isolated from the solid culture of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sumatrense GZWMJZ-313 in Garcinia multiflora. The structures of new compounds were determined in the light of spectroscopic data, X-ray and ECD calculation. Compounds 1 and 3 are racemates, while compound 2 is optically pure. Compounds 1 and 4 showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans with MIC values ranging from 8 μg/mL to 64 μg/mL.

The mixture of GX (guttiferone E and xanthochymol), an inseparable polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP), showed moderate cytotoxic activities. The chemical transformation of GX yielded three different types of PPAPs (1, 2, and 3/4). A series of analogs were prepared, and the structures of the 40 newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The derivatives were screened in vitro for antiproliferative activity against five human cancer cell lines: human leukemic cell lines (HEL and K562), cervical cancer cell line (Hela), human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), and human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (A549), using the MTT assay, and most of the derivatives showed good cytotoxic activities. Noticeably, compound 2, a novel tautomer with a hemiketal, exhibited selective cytotoxic activities against HEL (IC50 = 4.79 ± 0.23 μM) and K562 (IC50 = 7.69 ± 0.34 μM) leukemia cells. The mechanism studies indicated that compound 2 induced apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase in the HEL cell line. Furthermore, compound 2 activated the intrinsic pathway by reducing the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and cell cycle-specific cyclin D1 and by enhancing the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Moreover, the caspase-3 and PPRP1 levels were also upregulated. Our present results suggest that compound 2 is a potential candidate for developing novel anti-leukemia agents in the future.

Hymoins A-D (

Two new compounds, including one new arylbenzofuran (

Six rocaglaol derivatives were isolated from Dysoxylum gotadhora, and those compounds showed good cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranging from 10 to 350 ng/mL against five different cancer cells. Obviously, further total synthesis of rocaglaol derivatives for medical chemistry study is of great significance. Then, twenty six rocaglaol derivatives including 25 new compounds were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines: human colon cancer cells (HCT116), colorectal cancer stem cells (P6C), and human red leukocyte leukemia cells (HEL), using MTT assay. Most of derivatives showed good cytotoxic activities, with the lowest IC50 being 3.2 nM for HEL cells, which was 169 times stronger than that of the positive control (doxorubicin). Further mechanism study indicated that 11k could significantly suppress MAPK pathway in HCT116 cells, which may responsible for induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Two new compounds, including one new arylbenzofuran (1) and one new pterocarpanoid (2), along with nine known ones, were isolated from the seeds of Sophora tonkinensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on a comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited good anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities with the protective inhibition rate of 69.62% and 68.72% respectively, at concentration of 100 μg/ml.

Seven undescribed thermopsine-based alkaloids (1-7), including one undescribed biogenetically related intermediate (7), were isolated from the seeds of Thermopsis lanceolata R. Br. Compound 1 possessed a 6/6-6 tricyclic skeleton, while compounds 2-6 represented three rare dimerization patterns constructed by quinolizidine alkaloids. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis as well as ECD calculations. Biologically, compound 6 displayed significant anti-Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) activity compared with the positive control ningnanmycin. Moreover, compound 1 exhibited good insecticidal activity against Aphis fabae with LC

Hypsampsone A (1) and hyperhexanone F (2), two novel seco-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, were isolated from Hypericum sampsonii. Hypsampsone A (1) features the first spirocyclic system fused with 5/6/5/5 tetracyclic skeleton. Hyperhexanone F (2) represents the second novel 1,2-seco-bicyclo[3.3.1]-PPAP skeleton. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, computer-assisted structure elucidation software, and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. A plausible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate multidrug resistance reversal activity to adriamycin (ADR) resistant cancer cell lines, HepG2/ADR and MCF-7/ADR, with the fold-reversals ranging from 16 to 38 at noncytotoxic concentration of 10 μM.

Two novel polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), hyperfols A (

Six new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, hyperfols C H (1–6), along with seven known ones (7–13), were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum. The structures were identified on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, and the absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. In addition, compounds 4 and 12 exhibited moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 20.32 and 27.37 μM, respectively.

Leukemia is responsible for a reason of death, globally. Even though there are several treatment regimens available in the clinics against this disease, a perfect chemotherapeutic agent for the same is still under investigation. Natural plant-derived secondary metabolites are used in clinics to treat leukemia for better benefits with reduced side-effects. Likely, several bioactive compounds from Callistemon sp. were reported for their bioactive benefits. Furthermore, acylphloroglucinol derivatives from Callistemon salignus, showed both antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities in various adherent human cancer cell lines. Thus, in the present study, a natural acylphloroglucinol (2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyisobutyrophenone, L72) was tested for its antiproliferative efficacy in HEL cells. The MTT and the cell cycle analysis study revealed that L72 treatment can offer antiproliferative effects, both time and dose-dependent manner, causing G2/M cell cycle arrest. The western blot analysis revealed that L72 treatment triggered intrinsic apoptotic machinery and activated p21. Likewise, L72 could downregulate the gene expressions of XIAP, FLT3, IDH2, and SOD2, which was demonstrated by qPCR analysis, thus promoting its antiproliferative action. The L72 could impede STAT3 expression, which was evidenced by insilico autodock analysis and western blot analysis using STAT3 inhibitor, Pimozide. The treatment of transgenic (Flk-1+/egfr+) zebrafish embryos resulted in the STAT3 gene inhibition, proving its anti-angiogenic effect, as well. Thus, the study revealed that L72 could act as an antiproliferative agent, by triggering caspase-dependent intrinsic apoptosis, reducing cell proliferation by attenuating STAT3, and activating an anti-angiogenic pathway via Flk-1inhibition.

During the screening of natural anti-inflammatory agent, we identified some C21-steroidal pregnane sapogenins or the derivatives to inhibit TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4-initiatedinflammatory responses respectively. Treatment with active compounds 10, 2j and 3p failed to impact tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced nucleus translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit. However, these compounds regulated distinct canonical or non-canonical NF-κB family members. Ectopic expression of TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) abrogated the inhibitory activity of the compounds on production of pro-inflammatory cytokines downstream of TLR4. These results suggested that compounds 10, 2j, and 3p suppressed TLR-initiated innate immunity through TRAF6 with differential regulation of NF-κB family proteins.

Three new biphenyl derivatives ( 1 – 3 ), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Garcinia multiflora . Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All eight isolates showed weak cytotoxicity on five human tumor cell lines. In addition, the three biphenyl derivatives showed moderate anti-oxidant activity with IC 50 values ranging from 7.78 to 8.78 μ M.

A new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP), hypermonin C (

Background MAPK/ERK kinases transmit signals from many growth factors/kinase receptors during normal cell growth/differentiation, and their dysregulation is a hallmark of diverse types of cancers. A plethora of drugs were developed to block this kinase pathway for clinical application. With the exception of a recently identified agent, EQW, most of these inhibitors target upstream factors but not ERK1/2; no activator of ERK1/2 is currently available. Method A library of compounds isolated from medicinal plants of China was screened for anti-cancer activities. Three limonoid compounds, termed A1541–43, originally isolated from the plant Melia azedarach, exhibiting strong anti-leukemic activity. The anti-neoplastic activity and the biological target of these compounds were explored using various methods, including western blotting, flow cytometry, molecular docking and animal model for leukemia. Results Compounds A1541–43, exhibiting potent anti-leukemic activity, was shown to induce ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In contrast, the natural product Cedrelone, which shares structural similarities with A1541–43, functions as a potent inhibitor of ERK1/2. We provided evidence that A1541–43 and Cedrelone specifically target ERK1/2, but not the upstream MAPK/ERK pathway. Computational docking analysis predicts that compounds A1541–43 bind a region in ERK1/2 that is distinct from that to which Cedrelone and EQW bind. Interestingly, both A1541–43, which act as ERK1/2 agonists, and Cedrelone, which inhibit these kinases, exerted strong anti-proliferative activity against multiple leukemic cell lines, and induced robust apoptosis as well as erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation in erythroleukemic cell lines. These compounds also suppressed tumor progression in a mouse model of erythroleukemia. Conclusions This study identifies for the first time activators of ERK1/2 with therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancers driven by dysregulation of the MAPK/ERK pathway and possibly for other disorders. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5914-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A series of novel parthenolide–thiazolidinedione hybrids have been synthesized via a click chemistry-mediated coupling between parthenolide and thiazolidinedione, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities. The results indicated that all the hybrids showed moderate cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines, including human erythroleukemia cell line (HEL), prostate (PC3), and breast (MDA-MB-231) by MTT assay. In particular, compound VI-6 exhibited the best cytotoxic activities against the MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 value of 2.07 µM, which was about eight times more active than that of the original compound (PTL). These interesting results might be used to develop novel lead scaffolds for potential anticancer agents.

Nine undescribed compounds, including five xanthone derivatives, two flavonoids, one 2-pyrone derivative, and one undescribed naturally occurring compound, along with 30 known phenolic compounds, were isolated from Hypericum japonicum. In addition, hyperjaponols A and B were identified as racemates. The structures and absolute configurations of the undescribed compounds were determined by comprehensive MS, NMR spectroscopy, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds on two human tumour cell lines (HEL and MDA-MB-231) were evaluated by the MTT assay. Eighteen compounds showed good inhibitory activities against the HEL cell line, with IC50 values of 3.53–18.7 μM, while nine compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line, with IC50 values ranging from 4.92 to 10.75 μM. Their preliminary structure-activity relationship of the isolated compounds was also discussed.

Figure S1. Growth inhibition of HEL cells by the compounds. (A) HEL cells were treated with the indicated concentration of the compounds and percentage of inhibition was determined by MTT assay 3 days after drug treatment. (B) Microscopic images of the cells after 2 days treatment with the indicated compounds (magnification × 40). P