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One new limonoid, trigilgianin (1), one new phenyl alkene, epoxy gilgialkene (2), together with five known compounds: scopoletin (3), sitosteryl-6'-O-undecanoate-β-D-glucoside (4), sitosteryl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), cinchonain A (6) and cinchonain B (7) were isolated from the stem bark of Trichilia gilgiana Harms. (Meliaceae). All compounds were isolated for the first time from this species. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies and by comparison of these data with those from the literature. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 were tested for in vitro antileishmanial activity against visceral leishmaniasis parasite Leishmania donovani and cytotoxicity against macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line. Compounds 1 and 3 showed the highest antileishmanial activity (IC50 values of 6.044 and 6.804 µg/mL, respectively) with low cytotoxicity (CC50 values of >200 and 47.47 µg/mL, respectively), while compound 2 was moderately active on L. donovani promastigotes (IC50 56.81 µg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the present study consisted in the isolation of flavonoids from the leaves of Bryonia alba L. and evaluation of their antioxidant activity and inhibition on peroxidase‐catalysed reactions. Methods: Flavonoids were isolated by preparative HPLC‐DAD and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR. Inhibitory effect was tested by the horseradish peroxidase and the myeloperoxidase assays. Cellular antioxidant assays consisted in testing the inhibitory activity on the reactive oxygen species released upon activation of neutrophils freshly isolated ex vivo from equine blood and of human monocytes‐derived macrophages in vitro. Whole organism toxicity was assessed on zebrafish larvae. Key findings: Four flavonoids (lutonarin, saponarin, isoorientin and isovitexin) were isolated. The performed assays showed significant antioxidant activity and inhibition for the peroxidase‐catalysed reactions. Absence of cellular and zebrafish toxicity was confirmed. Conclusions: Bryonia alba L. leaves are particularly interesting for their flavonoids content and showed significant inhibitory effect on peroxidase‐catalysed oxidation of substrates (Amplex Red and L012), as well as antioxidant/antiradical activity, proving that this species has a medicinal potential. Moreover, the present study highlights the absence of the toxicity of these leaves and offers though a novel perspective on the species, previously known as being toxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of leaf extracts from Vernonia fimbrillifera Less. (Asteraceae), a bioactivity-guided fractionation was carried out. Three sesquiterpene lactones were isolated, namely 8-(4’-hydroxymethacrylate)-dehydromelitensin (1), onopordopicrin (2) and 8α-[4’-hydroxymethacryloyloxy]-4-epi-sonchucarpolide (3). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR and MS analyses) and by comparison with published data. The isolated compounds exhibited antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values ≤ 5 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity of the compounds against a human cancer cell line (HeLa) and a mouse lung epithelial cell line (MLE12) was assessed to determine selectivity. Compound 3 displayed promising selective antiplasmodial activity (SI > 10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of leaf extracts from Vernonia fimbrillifera Less. (Asteraceae), a bioactivity-guided fractionation was carried out. Three sesquiterpene lactones were isolated, namely 8-(4'-hydroxymethacrylate)-dehydromelitensin (1), onopordopicrin (2) and 8α-[4'-hydroxymethacryloyloxy]-4-epi-sonchucarpolide (3). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR and MS analyses) and by comparison with published data. The isolated compounds exhibited antiplasmodial activity with IC 50 values ≤ 5 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity of the compounds against a human cancer cell line (HeLa) and a mouse lung epithelial cell line (MLE12) was assessed to determine selectivity. Compound 3 displayed promising selective antiplasmodial activity (SI > 10).

Forty-eight extracts from 16 common Belgian trees from the Walloon Region forest were evaluated for in vitro growth inhibitory activity against the human LoVo colon cancer, PC3 prostate cancer, and U373 glioblastoma cell lines. Our study was performed with the aim of selecting plant candidates in order to later isolate new anticancer compounds from an easily affordable tree material. Extracts from Alnus glutinosa (stem bark), Carpinus betulus (leaves and stem bark), Castanea sativa (stem bark), Fagus sylvatica (leaves), Ilex aquifolium (leaves), Larix decidua (leaves), Quercus petraea (stem bark), and Quercus robur (leaves) showed for the first time potent in vitro growth inhibitory activity and could become easily affordable sources of potential new anticancer agents. Root extracts from Robinia pseudoacacia, already known for containing cytotoxic lectins, also showed interesting activity., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York.)