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A germacranolide (1) together with four guaianolide sesquiterpenes (2 - 5) were isolated from Reichardia tingitana, with the first report on the separation of compounds 1 - 4 from this plant. Their structures were identified as, 3β-hydroxybalchanolide (1), 15-desacetylmatricarin-8-O-β- d -glucopyranoside (2), 11β, 13-dihydro-lactucin (3), cichorioside G (4), and 15-desoxylactucin-α- d -glucopyranoside (5), based on the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data, HRESIMS and comparison with literature. Molecular docking studies were performed to examine the proposed apoptotic activity of the five naturally isolated sesquiterpenes against Mcl-1. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against different cancer cell lines compared to doxorubicin as a reference standard. The results showed that compound (4) and compound (2) have the highest cytotoxicity. These two active compounds were further evaluated by cell cycle analysis and Annexin V-FITC (Anx V) apoptosis assay as well. Compounds (4 and 2) halted the cell cycle at sub G1, S, and G2/M phases with 9.18-fold, 2.59-fold, 14.8-fold, 2.48-fold, 6.33-fold, 15.71-fold, respectively, compared to that of the control. Moreover, compounds (4 and 2) arrested the cell cycle mostly at G2/M phase (14.8-fold and 15.71-fold, respectively), indicating a very similar mechanism of action and promising high antitumor activities for both isolates. Furthermore, both compounds (4 and 2) showed a marked increase in the AnxV-FITC apoptotic cells% in the late phase (from 0.00 to 2.80%, and from 0.00 to 12.65%), respectively, compared to the control.

An antiplasmodial activity-guided isolation was carried out on the dichloromethane extract of Tithonia diversifolia dried leaves. A total of five germacranolide type sesquiterpene lactones and a new flavonol, 3,6-dihydroxy-2-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one, were isolated. The flavonol reported an IC50 above 6.00 µM against the chloroquine sensitive strain, NF54. The antimalarial activity of the Tithonia diversifolia dichloromethane leaf extract was attributed to orizabin and tagitinin C.

In this study, three new germacranolide sesquiterpenes (1-3), together with six related known analogues (4-9) were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium cernuum. Their structures were established by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, HR-ESIMS data, and ECD calculations. The anti-leukemia activities of all compounds towards three cell lines (HEL, KG-1a, and K562) were evaluated in vitro. Compounds 1-3 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 1.59 to 5.47 μmol·L-1. Mechanistic studies indicated that 2 induced apoptosis by decreasing anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and activating the caspase family in K562 cells. These results suggest that compound 2 is a potential anti-leukemia agent.

Background: The parasitic protozoal infections leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases that pose serious health risks for much of the world’s population. Current treatment options suffer from limitations, but plantderived natural products may provide economically advantageous therapeutic alternatives. Several germacranolide sesquiterpenoids have shown promising antiparasitic activities, but the mechanisms of activity have not been clearly established. Objective: The objective is to use in silico screening of known antiparasitic germacranolides against recognized protozoal protein targets in order to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of activity of these natural products. Methods: Conformational analyses of the germacranolides were carried out using density functional theory, followed by molecular docking. A total of 88 Leishmania protein structures, 86 T. brucei protein structures, and 50 T. cruzi protein structures were screened against 27 antiparasitic germacranolides. Results: The in-silico screening has revealed which of the protein targets of Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi are preferred by the sesquiterpenoid ligands.

The aerial parts of Ageratina vernalis provided the new germacranolide 1,10-epoxydeltoidin A (3), together with the known pentacyclic triterpenoid hopane-6α,22-diol (1), and the also known germacranolides deltoidin A (2) and 15-hydroxydeltoidin A (4). In addition, pTsOH catalyzed cyclization of 2 afforded the new guaianolide 5. The absolute configuration of 2, 4, and 5 was assigned by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy, while the complete 1H and 13C NMR data assignments of 2-5 followed from 1 D- and 2 D-NMR experiments.

Sigesbeckia orientalis, more commonly referred to as Herba Sigesbeckiae or Xi Xian Cao in traditional Chinese medicine and hy thiêm in traditional Vietnamese medicine, is used in China and Vietnam to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, rheumatism, and joint pain. In initial investigations, the dichloromethane extract from the aerial parts of S. orientalis showed distinct inhibitory effects on the release of interleukin-8 in human neutrophils. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was the phytochemical investigation of the bioactive dichloromethane extract and the in vitro analysis of the effects of the isolated compounds on interleukin-8, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 release, and surface expression of adhesion molecules (CD11a, CD11b, and CD62L) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human neutrophils to identify the active principle(s). The separation of the bioactive dichloromethane extract using various chromatographic techniques led to the isolation of nine compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated from nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry data. One diterpene, 17(13 → 14)-abeo-ent-3S*,13S*,16-trihydroxystrob-8(15)-ene, was identified as a new natural product. Three germacranolide sesquiterpene lactones inhibited interleukin-8 production with IC50 values between 1.6 and 6.3 µM, respectively, and tumor necrosis factor-α production with IC50 values between 0.9 and 3.3 µM, respectively. Furthermore, they significantly inhibited interleukin-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 production and diminished the effects of lipopolysaccharide on the surface expression of the adhesion molecules CD11a, CD11b, and CD62L. These findings support the traditional use of S. orientalis in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The need for effective candidates as cytotoxic drugs that at the same time challenge cancer multidrug resistance encouraged a search for these in plants of central Argentina. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the cytotoxic extract from Dimerostemma aspilioides led to the isolation of the germacranolide tomenphantin A (1), along with three new analogues (2-4). These efficiently inhibited the proliferation of the leukemia cell lines K562 and CCRF-CEM and their resistant variants, Lucena 1 and CEM/ADR5000, respectively, with IC50 values ranging from 0.40 to 7.7 μM. The structures and relative configurations of compounds 1-4 were elucidated by analysis of the spectroscopic data, in particular NMR spectroscopy. The most active among these was compound 1 (IC50 = 0.40-5.1 μM), and, therefore, this was selected as a model for a mechanistic study, which revealed that its antiproliferative effect was mediated by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase followed by apoptosis. The activity of compound 1 was selective, given the absence of cytotoxicity toward peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results show the potential of these compounds, and in particular of compound 1, as leads for the development of drug candidates to fight sensitive and resistant leukemia cells.

Chemical exploration of Artemisia myriantha Wall. ex Bess (Asteraceae) aerial parts afforded one new seco-guaianolide (1) and one new germacranolide (2). Structure elucidation of the new compounds was unambiguously performed based on HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. The two new compounds exhibited in vitro strong cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines HCT-8 with IC50 values of 0.76 and 0.28 μM, respectively.

Ixeris dentata (Thunb. ex Thunb.) Nakai (Asteraceae), a well-known edible vegetable in Asia, contains various bioactive secondary metabolites, including sesquiterpene lactones. In this study, a hig...

One new eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, 11β-hydroxy-13-chloro-eudesm-5-en-12, 8-olide (1), was isolated from the roots of Inula helenium together with nine eudesmanolides (2–10) and one germacranolide (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses. All isolates were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against human leukemia stem-like cell line KG1a. Compound 10 exhibited the most potent effect with the IC50 value of 3.36 ± 0.18 μM. A further investigation revealed that compound 10 could significantly induce apoptosis of KG1a cells. Additionally, compound 10 had an obvious effect on the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9 and caspase 3), indicating that the antiproliferative effect of compound 10 on KG1a cells might be mediated through a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Orientadores: João Ernesto de Carvalho, Mary Ann Foglio Tese ( doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Resumo: A pesquisa fitoquímica de espécies vegetais tem originado um grande número de novas substâncias e trabalha em conjunto com a pesquisa farmacológica que é responsável porá apontar o potencial terapêutico dessas moléculas e ou de seus derivados. Trabalhos anteriores revelaram que o extrato bruto diclorometânico das folhas de Calea pinnatifida(Asteraceae) apresenta atividade antiproliferativa, em cultura de células tumorais humanas e antitumoral em modelos in vivo de Tumor Ascítico e Sólido de Ehrlich. Os estudos fitoquímicos revelaram a presença de germacranolídeos (lactonas sesquiterpênicas) entre os princípios ativos responsáveis pela atividade antitumoral. Este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e determinar o mecanismo de ação do arucanolídeo. Primeiramente o arucanolídeo foi obtido através do fracionamento do extrato bruto diclorometânico e precipitação de graxas e clorofila com o uso de uma solução de acetato básico de chumbo. Em cultura de células tumorais humanas de diferentes origens o arucanolídeo apresentou atividade citocida para todas, com seletividade para melanoma e rim. Os estudos sobre o tipo demorte celular revelaram que o arucanolídeo é capaz de induzir apoptose, pela via intrínseca,através da ativação de caspases, com geração de radicais livres em células de glioblastoma U-118 MG e de melanoma SK-MEL-2. Já nas células HeLa (adenocarcinoma de cervix) o mecanismo pelo qual o arucanolídeo atua pode ser diferente, pois a via intrínseca não é tão importante, nem a geração de radicais livres, sugerindo o envolvimento da via extrínseca de apoptose. O uso de células HeLa transfectadas com o gene de Bcl-xl, não interferiu na indução de apoptose pelo arucanolídeo, comprovando a pouca importância da mitocôndriano processo apoptótico nessa linhagem, enquanto nas células SK-MEL-2 Bcl-xL a indução de apoptose foi significativamente reduzida. Nas células melanoma murino B16-F10, o arucanolídeo induziu apoptose através da ativação das caspases. No entanto, em modelo animal utilizando essa linhagem, a redução do desenvolvimento tumoral não foi dependente do processo apoptótico, sugerindo que outro mecanismo de ação está envolvido na atividade in vivo. No modelo de metástase onde as células de melanoma B16-F10 foram inoculadas diretamente na corrente sanguínea, foi observada uma tendência na redução das metástases pulmonares no grupo tratado com arucanolídeo, com poucos sinais de toxicidade hepática. Com tudo isso, pode-se concluir que o arucanolídeo é capaz de induzir apoptose em células tumorais humanas e murinas, podendo atuar pela via intrínseca e ou extrínseca de apoptose, dependendo do tipo celular avaliado. A atividade antitumoral in vitro foi confirmada com a redução do crescimento tumoral in vivo, comprovando o potencial farmacológico desse composto Abstract: Plants have provided a large number of new substances and many drugs have based for the synthesis of them. The dichloromethane crude extract presented antiproliferative activity inhuman tumor cell culture and in vivo antitumor activity against ascitic and solid Ehrlich tumor models. The results obtained with Calea pinnatifida, species from Asteraceae family,may result in the development of new chemotherapeutic agents by the presence of germacranolides (sesquiterpene lactones) in their chemical composition. The arucanolide was obtained by the fractionation of crude dichloromethane extract after the precipitation of chlorophyll and graxes using a lead acetate basic solution. Arucanolide shows antiproliferative activity in vitro against human tumor cells lines with selectivity for melanoma and kidney. It was proved that the arucanolide is capable of inducing apoptosis,by the intrinsic pathway, through caspase avtivation, generating free radicals in U-118 MG glioblastoma and SK-MEL-2 melanoma cells. At the adenocarcinoma of cervix cells HeLa the mechanism by which arucanolide acts may be different, because the intrinsic pathway seems to be not as important as in the others cells, suggesting the involvement of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The use of HeLa cells transfected with the gene of Bcl-xl, has not hindered the induction of apoptosis in these cells, showing the lack of importance of mitochondria in this apoptotic process, while in SK-MEL-2 Bcl-xL cells, the arucanolide treatment significantly reduced the apoptosis induction. In the B16-F10 cells, the arucanolide induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in vitro and has antitumor activity in vivo against the same cell line, in a subcutaneous melanoma model. The apoptosis induction was not detected in vivo, suggesting that arucanolide could act by preventing the tumor cell proliferation in vivo. At the model of experimental metastasis with the melanoma cell lineB16-F10 there is a tendency to reduce lung metastasis in mice treated with arucanolide, showing few signs of liver toxicity. With all this results, we conclude that the arucanolídeois able to induce apoptosis in human and murine tumor cells lines, and its death pathway, depends on the cell type evaluated. This compound may act by intrinsic or extrinsic apoptosis pathways. The arucanolide also reduces tumor growth in vivo and it is a promising new chemotherapic for clinical research Doutorado Biologia Celular Doutora em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Guaianolides are an important class of sesquiterpene lactones with unique biological and pharmaceutical properties. They have been postulated to be derived from germacranolides, but for years no progress has been made in the elucidation of their biosynthesis that requires an unknown cyclization mechanism. Here we demonstrate the isolation and characterization of a cytochrome P450 from feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), kauniolide synthase. Kauniolide synthase catalyses the formation of the guaianolide kauniolide from the germacranolide substrate costunolide. Unlike most cytochrome P450s, kauniolide synthase combines stereoselective hydroxylation of costunolide at the C3 position, with water elimination, cyclization and regioselective deprotonation. This unique mechanism of action is supported by in silico modelling and docking experiments. The full kauniolide biosynthesis pathway is reconstructed in the heterologous hosts Nicotiana benthamiana and yeast, paving the way for biotechnological production of guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactones., Q.L. was funded as a part of Terpmed (Plant Terpenoids for Human Health: a chemical and genomic approach to identify and produce bioactive compounds) (Project ID 227448) and A.B.K. was funded by Iranian Ministry of Science Research and Technology.

Opportunistic parasitic protozoa of genus Acanthamoeba are responsible to cause severe infections in humans such as Acanthamoeba Keratitis or Amoebic Granulomatous Encephalitis. Current treatments are usually toxic and inefficient and there is a need to access new therapeutic agents. The antiamoebic effects of nephthediol (1) and fourteen germacranolide and eudesmanolide sesquiterpene lactones (2–5, 7–12) isolated from the indigenous zoanthid Palythoa aff. clavata collected at the coast of Lanzarote, Canary Islands were studied against Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff, and the clinical strains A. polyphaga and A. griffini. 4-epi-arbusculin A (11) presented the lowest IC50 value (26,47 ± 1,69 µM) against A. castellanii Neff and low cytotoxicity against murine macrophages, followed by isobadgerin (2), which also showed to be active against A. castellanii Neff cysts. The studies on the mode of action of compounds 2 and 11 revealed these sesquiterpene lactones induce mechanisms of PDC on A. castellanii Neff.

Three undescribed germacranolide sesquiterpene lactones, named macrocephalides A-C, along with known steroids, triterpenes and flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Campuloclinium macrocephalum. The structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated with basis on their 1D and 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS data. Their absolute configurations were assigned by comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Additionally, macrocephalides A-C were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against nine human cancer cell lines. Macrocephalides A and B exhibited moderate to potent cytotoxic activity, inhibiting 50% of cell growth (GI50) at concentrations ranging from 0.576 to 6.37 μM.

Background: Enhydra fluctuans Lour, a tropical herb, commonly known as helencha or harkuch, belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is an edible semi-aquatic herbaceous vegetable plant with serrate leaves and grows commonly in different parts of the world. Enhydra fluctuans possesses potential pharmacological role against inflammation, cancer, diarrhea, microbial infection, diabetes, etc. Aim: This review aims to provide the most current information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, chemical constituents, as well as the pharmacological activities of Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Materials and Methods: The recently updated information on Enhydra fluctuans was gathered from scientific journals, books, and worldwide accepted scientific databases via a library and electronic search PubMed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Springer, Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley online library. All of the full-text articles and abstracts related to Enhydra were screened. The most important and relevant articles were carefully chosen for study in this review. Results: Crude extracts and isolated compounds of Enhydra fluctuans Lour have been reported to be pharmacologically active against cytoprotective, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiarrheal, antihelmintic, CNS depressant, hepatoprotective, thrombolytic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, phagocytic and cytotoxic, and neuroprotective potential activities. Discussion: Phytochemical analysis from different studies has reported Germacranolide, Sesquiterpene lactone, Flavonoid, Essential oil, Steroid, Diterpenoid, Melampolide, Sesquiterpene lactone, and Isoflavone glycoside as major compounds of Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Conclusions: However, more research is needed to explore the mode of action of bioactive components of the plant and its therapeutic capabilities.

A new highly oxygenated germacranolide, carcerlane A (1), together with four known highly oxygenated germacranolides (2–5), was isolated from an ethanol extract of the whole plant of Carpesium nepalense var. lanatum (C.B.Clarke) Kitam. The structures were determined by HRESIMS and extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data including IR, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra. To our best knowledge, it was the first time to report the phytochemical investigation on this plant. The anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) activities of 1–5 were evaluated using Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model. All the tested compounds showed that they have the anti-AD bioactivities of delaying worms paralysis.

Two new highly oxygenated germacranolides, Carpescernolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium cernuum. Their structures were established by extensive analysis of NMR spectra, as well as HRESIMS data. X-ray diffraction studies were used to confirm the absolute configurations of 1 and 2. Notably, compound 1, with an oxygen bridge unit (C-2–O-C-5) and a 4, 8-ketal system at C-8, resulted in a novel type of germacranolide compound. Compound 1 showed a moderate inhibition against SMMC-7721 cancer cells in vitro.

Carpesium humile Winkl is an endemic Chinese species and no previous phytochemical studies have been reported for this species. Two new germacranolides (1 and 2) and a new phytane diterpene (5), together with five known compounds (two sesquiterpenoids and three diterpenoids), were isolated from the aerial parts of C. humile. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The conformations and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by combinative analysis of NMR, CD exciton chirality, and X-ray crystallography data. Four germacranolides (1–4) showed strong cytotoxic activities, with broad spectrum activities against six human cancer (HepG2, HeLa, HL60, SGC7901, Lewis, and MDA231) cell lines in vitro using MTT assay, with IC50 values from 3.09 to 7.71 μg/mL. Diterpenes (5, 6, and 8) also displayed good cytotoxic activities for selected cancer cell lines, with IC50 values in the range 5.46–8.08 μg/mL.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Arctotis arctotoides (Asteraceae) is part of the genus Arctotis. Arctotis is an African genus of approximately 70 species that occur widely in the African continent with diverse medicinal values. This plant is used for the treatment of indigestion and catarrh of the stomach, epilepsy, topical wounds and skin disorders among the ethnic groups in South Africa and reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. Aim of the review The aim of the present review is to appraise the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, analytical methods and safety issues of A. arctotoides. Additionally, this review will help to fill the existing gaps in knowledge and highlight further research prospects in the field of phytochemistry and pharmacology. Materials and methods Information on A. arctotoides was collected from various resources, including books on African medicinal herbs and Zulu medicinal plants, theses, reports and the internet databases such as SciFinder, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Mendeley by using a combination of various meaningful keywords. This review surveys the available literature of the species from 1962 to April 2017. Results In vitro and in vivo studies of the medicinal properties of A. arctotoides were reviewed. The main isolated and identified compounds were reported as sesquiterpenes, farnesol derivatives, germacranolide, guaianolides and some steroids, of which, nine were reported as antimicrobial. Monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids were the predominant essential oil compound classes of the leaves, flowers, stems and roots. The present review revealed potential pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities of plant extracts as well as isolated compounds. Moreover, the review reports the safety profile (toxicity) of the crude extracts that had been screened on brine shrimps, rats and human cell lines. Conclusions The present review has focused on the phytochemistry, botany, ethnopharmacology, biological activities and toxicological information of A. arctotoides. On the basis of reported data, A. arctotoides has emerged as a good source of natural medicine for the treatment of microbial infections, skin diseases, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents and also provides new insights for further isolation of new bioactive compounds, especially the discovery of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer novel therapeutic lead drug molecules. Additionally, intensive investigations regarding pharmacological properties, safety assessment and efficacy with their mechanism of action could be future research interests before starting clinical trials for medicinal practices.

An unusual adenine-substituted germacrane sesquiterpene lactone, tomenphantadenine (1), has been isolated from the whole plant of Elephantopus tomentosus L. The structure of this compound was established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including high resolution (HR) ESI-MS, 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. This compound features novel hybrid pattern of germacrane sesquiterpene with adenine through C-N linkage, and a possible biosynthetic pathway for it was proposed. Compound 1 showed potent antibacterial activity against the gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and weak acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity.

The aerial parts of Centaurea papposa, a species growing wild in Algeria and Tunisia, were investigated for the occurrence of sesquiterpene lactones. The germacranolide cnicin is the main compound. In addition one eudesmanolide, two elemanolides, one elemane derivative and the flavonoid eupatorin were isolated.

In this study, the antibacterial profiling of the ethanolic leaf extract of greater burdock (Arctium lappa L.) is demonstrated, applying thin-layer chromatography (TLC) coupled bioassays against the Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the Gram-negative pepper pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. The main active component was isolated by eluting from the adsorbent bed and subjected to a targeted characterization by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry. The identification of the germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone onopordopicrin was based on its retardation factor, bioactivity in TLC-based methods, and retention tim as well as ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectra, compared to those of the reference substance isolated earlier in our laboratory from Onopordum acanthium leaf.

Background: Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are life-threatening illnesses caused by the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. They are known as "neglected diseases" due to the lack of effective drug treatments and the scarcity of research work devoted to them. Therefore, the development of novel and effective drugs is an important and urgent need. Natural products are an important source of bioactive molecules for the development of new drugs. In this study, we evaluated the activity of enhydrin, uvedalin and polymatin B, three sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) isolated from Smallanthus sonchifolius, on Leishmania mexicana (MNYC/BZ/62/M) and Trypanosoma cruzi (Dm28c). In addition, the in vivo trypanocidal activity of enhydrin and uvedalin and the effects of these STLs on parasites´ ultrastructure were evaluated. Methods: The inhibitory effect of the three STLs on the growth of L. mexicana amastigotes and promastigotes as well as T. cruzi epimastigotes was evaluated in vitro. The changes produced by the STLs on the ultrastructure of parasites were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enhydrin and uvedalin were also studied in a murine model of acute T. cruzi infection (RA strain). Serum activities of the hepatic enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were used as biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity. Results: The three compounds exhibited leishmanicidal activity on both parasite forms with IC50 values of 0.42-0.54 μg/ml for promastigotes and 0.85-1.64 μg/ml for intracellular amastigotes. Similar results were observed on T. cruzi epimastigotes (IC50 0.35-0.60 μg/ml). The TEM evaluation showed marked ultrastructural alterations, such as an intense vacuolization and mitochondrial swelling in both L. mexicana promastigotes and T. cruzi epimastigotes exposed to the STLs. In the in vivo study, enhydrin and uvedalin displayed a significant decrease in circulating parasites (50-71%) and no signs of hepatotoxicity were detected. Conclusions: Enhydrin, uvedalin and polymatin B possess significant leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity on different parasite stages. These results show that these compounds may provide valuable leads for the development of new drugs against these neglected parasitic diseases. Fil: Ulloa, Jerónimo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina Fil: Spina Zapata, Renata María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Cienicas Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina Fil: Casasco, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología; Argentina Fil: Petray, Patricia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina Fil: Martino, Virginia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina Fil: Sosa, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Cienicas Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina Fil: Frank, Fernanda María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología; Argentina Fil: Muschietti, Liliana Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina

The antibacterial profiling of Onopordum acanthium L. leaf extract and subsequent targeted identification of active compounds is demonstrated. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and off-line overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) coupled with direct bioautography were utilized for investigation of the extract against eight bacterial strains including two plant and three human pathogens and a soil, a marine and a probiotic human gut bacteria. Antibacterial fractions obtaining infusion-transfusion OPLC were transferred to HPLC–MS/MS analysis that resulted in the characterization of three active compounds and two of them were identified as, linoleic and linolenic acid. OPLC method was adopted to preparative-scale flash chromatography for the isolation of the third active compound, which was identified after a further semi-preparative HPLC purification as the germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone onopordopicrin. Pure onopordopicrin exhibited antibacterial activity that was specified as minimal inhibitory concentration in the liquid phase as well.

Three new elemanolides, named vernonilides D (1), E (2), and F (3), along with four known sesquiterpenoids, including two elemanolides (4, 5), a guaianolide (6), and a germacranolide (7) were isolated from the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica. The structures of them were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR experiments and comparison with published data. Cytotoxicity of the compounds against four human tumor cell lines was assayed. 6 showed strongly inhibitory effect against HCT-15 and PC-3 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.56 and 0.69 μM, respectively. The new compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity against four cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 9.1 to 28.1 μM.

In this article we present the correlations observed in the NOESY spectra, which provide direct and unequivocal detection of hydroxyl groups occurring in the chemical structures of three sesquiterpene lactones - a germacranolide (8α-(E)-4′-hydroxysenecioyloxy-9α-hydroxyparthenolide) and two guaianolides (cynaropicrin and desacylcynaropicrin 8α-(Z)-(4′-hydroxy-2′-methyl)butenoate). The NOESY spectra and other NMR spectra, which served for the structural determination, are also presented. The data provided in this article are associated with the research article “Phytochemical profiles of the leaves of Stizolophus balsamita and Psephellus sibiricus and their chemotaxonomic implications” Nawrot et al., 2019. Keywords: Hydroxyl groups detection, NOESY spectra, NMR spectra, Sesquiterpene lactones

Repeated chromatographic purifications of aerial parts of the Tunisian plant Daucus virgatus led to the isolation of four new germacranolides, named daucovirgolides I-L (2-5), along with the Plasmodium transmission-blocking agent daucovirgolide G. The chemical structures of the new compounds were defined as mono- or di-angeloylated germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids by spectroscopic (mainly 1D and 2D NMR) and spectrometric methods (ESIMS). The low potency exhibited by daucovirgolides I-L further supports the observation that strict structural requirements do exist for the Plasmodium transmission blocking activity in the daucovirgolide series. In particular, the endocyclic double bond system seems to be crucial for bioactivity.

The Alpine wormwood Artemisia vallesiaca All. was considered the most valuable ingredient of vermouth, a celebrated aromatized wine. A. vallesiaca has a very limited geographical distribution, and the booming market of vermouth decimated its natural population, resulting in the eventual replacement of this rare species with more common and less expensive wormwoods like A. absinthium L.. Over the past years, attempts to revive the original recipe(s) of vermouth have fostered the establishment of cultivations of A. vallesiaca in pre-montane settings. In order to assist these projects, the phytochemical profile of cultivated plants and of several native populations of A. vallesiaca from the Swiss Valais were comparatively evaluated, focusing on sesquiterpene lactones and on lipophilic flavonoids, the hallmark constituents of Artemisia species. Remarkably, no significant difference was detected between the samples, despite the different origins. The lipophilic flavonoids of A. vallesiaca were similar to those of related species used in the production of vermouth, but the presence of C-9 oxygenated 11β-methyl germacranolides and eudesmanolides (herbolides) made its sesquiterpene lactone profile peculiar. In addition to known compounds, two novel germacranolides were also characterized (herbolides J and K), and the major sesquiterpene lactone from the plant, the bitter germacranolide herbolide D (4), was detected and quantified by 1H NMR in a bitter liqueur aromatized with A. vallesiaca. Taken together, these observations qualify herbolides as marker to identify A. vallesiaca in aromatized alcohol matrixes.

Inula cappa (family Compositae) is used in the Ayurvedic medicinal system for the treatment of bronchitis, diabetes, fever, hypertension, and rheumatism. The proposed high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) study offers coherent evaluation of isoalantolactone, germacranolide, β-sitosterol, and lupeol from I. cappa root. Methanolic solutions of isoalantolactone, germacranolide, β-sitosterol, and lupeol were applied on an HPTLC plate and they were scanned at 525 nm. The mobile phase toluene—methanol (9.4:0.6, v/v) was used for all the phytochemicals. After development, all the plates were air-dried at room temperature, derivatized with anisaldehyde–sulfuric acid reagent and heated at 105°C. This study aids the identification of these compounds and provides an easy and simple method for the simultaneous estimation of these markers in the I. cappa roots. The method would serve as an expedient tool in routine analyses to corroborate the drug through good constancy.

Small molecule accurate recognition technology (SMART) is an emerging method for the rapid structural prediction of major constituents from crude extracts and fractions. In the present study, a targeted isolation of an Elephantopus scaber extract by SMART resulted in the obtention of 15 new (1–15) and five known germacranolide sesquiterpenes (16–20). Their structures were assigned by extensively analyzing HRESIMS, NMR, X-ray crystallographic analyses, modified Mosher’s method results, and quantum chemical calculate electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. All germacranolide sesquiterpenes were screened to determine their inhibitory effects with two hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B), and compounds 14, 16, 18, 19 and 20 showed significant cytotoxic activities against the HepG2 (IC50, 3.3–9.9 μM) and Hep3B (IC50, 4.5–8.6 μM) cell lines. Further study suggested that 18 can induce the apoptosis of hepatoma cells via mitochondrial dysfunction.

In recent years we initiated extensive studies on the characterization of the population structure of wild Lactuca relatives (WLRs) originating from their center of origin and diversity in Southwest Asia. A comparative phytochemical study of nine sesquiterpene lactones in natural populations of the wild lettuce L. altaica Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Asteraceae) was performed, based on 22 plants, representing seven original individual seed samples derived from three localities representing three regions in Armenia. The compounds were profiled and quantified in leaves and roots of the plants, grown in a controlled glasshouse. The contents of major sesquiterpene lactones, that including the following eight guaianolides: cichorioside B, lactucin, 11β,13-dihydrolactucin, crepidiaside B, 8-deoxylactucin, jacquinelin, lactucopicrin/11β,13-dihydrolactucopicrin, as well as the germacranolide glucoside – lactuside A, were estimated by HPLC/PDA. The L. altaica plants could be characterized by the occurrence of lactuside A in their roots, and the mixture of lactucopicrin/11β,13-dihydrolactucopicrin in both their roots and leaves by relatively high amounts, similarly to results obtained for three commercial cultivars of L. sativa. The total content of sesquiterpene lactones in the roots was significantly higher than that in the leaves. This study is likely the first report of detailed screening of L. altaica natural populations and individuals, even by low sample size, for any trait. Species within the primary lettuce gene pool, should be considered as an attractive source of germplasm in further research and improvement of cultivated lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. While using interspecific hybridization in order to elevate the sesquiterpene levels in cultivated lettuces, the lactones quality (profile) and quantity, as well as the cross-ability level of the wild Lactuca spp. with the crop and fertility of the obtained offspring should be considered.