Five isoprenoid flavonoids (1–5) were isolated from Sophora davidii. Notably, the absolute configuration of compound 1 and the 13C NMR data of compound 4 are presented herein for the first time. The structures of all compounds were established by spectroscopic data analysis, including HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR. Their absolute configurations were determined via theoretical calculations, including ECD and NMR chemical shift calculations. The cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds on human HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and BCPAP cells were evaluated using the MTT assay. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 exhibited cytotoxicity against all three cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 10.28 μM to 19.34 μM.
In this study, one new compound (1) and eight known compounds (2–9) were identified from the aerial parts of endemic Scorzonera coriacea. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D NMR, FT-IR, UV, and LC-QTOF-MS). The antimicrobial activities of 1–9 were evaluated against 10 microorganisms. Compounds 3 and 8 exhibited the best activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis at concentration of 35 μg/mL and 25 μg/mL (MIC), respectively. Compound 1 was the most effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the microorganisms tested (MIC 125 μg/mL). The best activity was observed at 25 μg/mL (MIC) for compounds 9 and 5 against yeast fungi. Compounds 1, 3, 4, and 5 exhibited low cytotoxicity toward L929 cells. Molecular docking (MD) studies supported the in vitro biological activity findings by revealing the binding modes of the compounds to the target proteins of M. smegmatis, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli and by identifying their critical amino acid interactions.
A phytochemical investigation of the stems of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. led to the isolation of six nitrogen-containing compounds, including one previously undescribed quinoline–aspartic acid hybrid alkaloid, dendronobiline A (1), together with five known alkaloid-related constituents (2–6). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and its absolute configuration was assigned by comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Structurally, compound 1 features a quinoline-derived unit connected to a dimethyl aspartate moiety through an amide linkage. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Among them, compound 1 displayed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity, with an IC50 value of 9.05 ± 1.60 μM, comparable to that of the positive control dexamethasone. These findings enrich the chemical diversity of D. nobile alkaloids and suggest that its stems are a promising source of anti-inflammatory natural products.
Heracleum candicans, a perennial herb of the Heracleum genus in the Umbelliferae family, is naturally distributed in Pakistan, northwestern India, as well as Sichuan and Xizang of China. In the Xizang region, its dried roots have long been utilized as a traditional Tibetan medicine. Ethnopharmacologically, it possesses multiple efficacies including insecticidal, hemostatic, wound healing and anti-leprosy effects, and is clinically applied for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, leprosy, carbuncles, furuncles and other skin ulcers, presenting promising prospects for further exploitation. This article systematically reviews the research advances regarding its morphological characteristics, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that H. candicans is rich in diverse bioactive components. Among them, coumarins are recognized as the predominant active ingredients, which exert extensive pharmacological properties such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, bone-protective and skin-repairing effects. The present review summarizes the current research status and existing limitations of H. candicans, aiming to provide a solid scientific basis and valuable references for its further fundamental research, rational development and comprehensive utilization.
This study investigates the anti-photoaging effects of ethanol extract of Tricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & S. Imai) (TME). UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS analysis identified 68 components, highlighting L-pyroglutamic acid as a primary bioactive constituent. In a UVB-induced mouse model, the topical application of TME significantly alleviated erythema, wrinkles, epidermal hyperplasia, and collagen degradation while suppressing dermal mast cell infiltration. Furthermore, in vitro experiments revealed that TME downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and mitigated oxidative stress in HaCaT cells by reducing reactive oxygen species, suppressing lipid peroxidation, and restoring mitochondrial membrane potential. Network pharmacology and molecular docking predicted core therapeutic targets, which were subsequently validated via in vivo ELISA. The results confirmed that TME combats structural photoaging by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) expression and downregulating the phosphorylation of AKT1 and STAT3. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of T. matsutake exhibits robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, demonstrating significant potential for skincare applications.
Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE TH /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language:EN;} Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE TH /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language:EN;} Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies, creating a need for selective antiproliferative agents. We evaluated pongamol, a flavonoid from the roots of Millettia erythrocalyx Gagnep., against MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, using the non-tumorigenic line MCF-10A as a normal-cell control. Pongamol preferentially reduced MDA-MB-231 viability (54.95 ± 7.08% versus 83.10 ± 6.34% at 200 µM after 24 h). After 72 h the IC50 was 65.83 ± 4.65 µM in MDA-MB-231 cells but approximately 200 µM in MCF-10A cells, giving a selectivity index of about 3. Network pharmacology identified 83 shared targets, with CDK1 among the protein–protein interaction hubs and Gene Ontology enrichment dominated by regulation of the G2/M transition. Pongamol inhibited proliferation (to 47% at 50 µM) and colony formation (to 31% of control at 25 µM), and induced G2/M arrest at 5 µM with a progressive increase in the sub-G1 population. In a cell-free assay, pongamol inhibited CDK1/cyclin B1 kinase activity (IC50 = 22.15 ± 4.23 µM), and docking predicted that it occupies the CDK1 ATP-binding site. These findings identify pongamol as a preferentially active, CDK1-inhibiting lead compound in the MDA-MB-231 model of TNBC, warranting validation in additional TNBC cell lines.
Medicinal plants are integral to folk medicine and have gained worldwide attention due to their significant impact on human health. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, traditional medicine is deeply rooted in cultural heritage and relies heavily on the use of medicinal plants associated with natural healing practices, health, and diet. Saudi Arabia, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula, is characterized by diverse habitats including rocky deserts, mountains, and valleys, which support a rich flora of medicinal herbs, shrubs, and trees. Historically, approximately 2,250 plant species belonging to 142 families have been utilized in Saudi folk medicine to treat various diseases. This review aimed to systematically compile and summarize the available literature on medicinal plants used in Saudi traditional medicine, including information on species, plant parts, preparation methods, and therapeutic uses. A comprehensive literature search covering studies published up to 20 July 2024 was conducted using ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies documenting medicinal plant species specifically used within Saudi Arabia were included, while reports from other regions of the Arabian Peninsula were excluded unless they explicitly referred to Saudi Arabia. The review identified 677 plant species belonging to 103 families within the Saudi pharmacopeia. The family Asteraceae showed the highest representation with 78 species, followed by Fabaceae with 68 species. These plants are traditionally used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments and contribute to maintaining the health and well-being of the Saudi population. Decoctions and pastes were the most commonly reported preparation methods. The most frequently used plant parts included whole plants (35%), leaves (33%), stems (12%), roots (8%), fruits (5%), bark (3%), seeds (2%), and aerial parts (2%). The findings highlight the important role of medicinal plants in Saudi traditional medicine and emphasize the need for further scientific investigations, particularly regarding the identification of bioactive compounds and comprehensive safety evaluations to support their safe and effective use in both traditional and modern healthcare systems.
Neuroinflammation is characterized by microglial activation, excessive nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Although quercetin is widely reported to attenuate microglial inflammation, its accompanying metabolic adaptations remain incompletely defined. In this study, the effect of quercetin on LPS-induced BV-2 cells was examined together with quercetin-associated metabolic remodeling using an integrated experimental and in silico strategy. LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells were co-treated with quercetin (1.25-10 mu M) and cell viability and NO production were quantified. Untargeted LC-MS metabolomics was conducted on the control, LPS, and LPS+quercetin groups (n = 6), followed by multivariate and pathway enrichment analysis. Quercetin was found to be non-cytotoxic and to significantly reduce LPS-induced NO levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Metabolomic profiling demonstrated clear group separation, with quercetin inducing a distinct metabolic phenotype intermediate between inflamed and basal states. Differential metabolites indicated remodeling of nucleotide sugars, purine intermediates, amino acid pools, and sphingolipid-related features. Pathway analysis identified glutamate metabolism as the dominant signal, alongside nitrogen-handling routes, including the urea cycle and ammonia recycling. Complementary docking and molecular dynamics simulations targeting NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) supported a stable interaction with quercetin. Overall, quercetin-mediated NO suppression is coupled to coordinated redox-linked metabolic remodeling in activated microglia.
Ontogenetic changes in the volatile composition of oil-bearing rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) flowers were investigated at eight developmental stages (HS1-HS8) under semiarid conditions in Mardin, T & uuml;rkiye. Volatile profiles were analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). A total of 39 volatile constituents were identified, representing 96-99% of the total volatile profile. Distinct stage-dependent shifts were observed throughout flower development. Monoterpenes predominated at early developmental stages, whereas oxygenated monoterpenes increased markedly during flower maturation. Citronellol reached its highest level at HS8 (25.0%), while geraniol and nerol showed maximum accumulation at HS4 (5.7%) and HS4 (3.2%), respectively. Phenylethyl alcohol increased progressively during flower development and reached 18.7% at HS8. In contrast, sesquiterpenes declined continuously across maturity stages. Farnesol was detected only at mid to late developmental stages and reached its highest level at HS7 (0.4%). Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 81.97% of the total variance and clearly differentiated early, intermediate, and late developmental stages based on volatile composition. Detailed eigenvalues and major loading values are provided in the Supporting Information (Tables S1 and S2). HS7 emerged as the most suitable harvest stage with respect to volatile aroma composition and fragrance-related quality parameters due to its favorable balance of oxygenated monoterpenes and relatively low methyl eugenol levels, consistent with ISO 9842 rose oil specifications. These findings provide a chemical ecological conditions.
Six compounds were isolated from the endophytic fungus Paraconiothyrium brasiliense associated with Dendrobium huoshanense, including a new depsidone derivative, named as paraconbrasin A (1). Their chemical structures were characterized using MS, NMR, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. All isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro, and 1 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 mouse macrophages with IC50 values of 21.21 ?M and 12.27 ?M, respectively.
This study reports the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological evaluation of a novel naphthofuran derivative (compound 1), methyl 9-methoxy-4-methylnaphtho[1,2-c]furan-3-carboxylate, along with known compounds; chrysophanol (2) and 2-acetyl-1,8-dimethoxy-3-methylnaphthalene (3) from the aerial parts of Asphodelus microcarpus. The structure was established by 1D/2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. Compound 1 exhibited potent bactericidal activity against MRSA ATCC 3345 (MIC = 3.13 μg/mL, MBC = 12.5 μg/mL, MBC/MIC = 4) and significant dose-independent antibiofilm activity (maximum inhibition 64.7 ± 0.35% at MIC). Computational studies including ligand-based similarity searching, molecular docking, hydration site analysis, and 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations identified dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) as a potential target, with compound 1 showing favorable binding (ΔG_bind = −55.13 kcal/mol) driven by π–π stacking with Phe92—a selectivity-determining residue absent in human DHFR (Val115). Comparative docking predicted ~20-fold selectivity for bacterial DHFR. In silico ADMET profiling revealed full drug-likeness compliance with no PAINS or toxicity alerts. Compound 1 represents the first naphthofuran from A. microcarpus with a computationally defined mechanism, positioning it as a promising anti-MRSA lead.
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by protozoan intracellular pathogens, which involves one parasite, Leishmania infantum, infecting the macrophages resulting in immune manipulations and causing the systemic Leishmaniasis, also known as visceral Leishmaniasis. The current day therapeutic interventions influence their toxicity and lead to resistance, which highlights the deficiency of understanding in terms of parasite-host interaction, new targets, and their regulators. In this study, an integrated computational approach that incorporates transcriptome analysis, network biology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was used to decipher host immune pathway modulation and provide new insights into the potential therapeutic intervention. RNA-seq analysis of wild-type human monocyte-derived macrophages identified 537 DEGs (404 upregulated and 135 down regulated). Analysis of functional enrichment revealed that the genes that were upregulated were predominantly associated with the inflammatory response, cytokine signaling pathway, chemotaxis, and immune effector responses, while downregulated genes were mainly related to developmental processes and the Wnt signaling pathway. Construction of protein-protein interactions networks and multi-algorithm hub gene analysis identified IL-6, IFN-γ, CCL5, and CTLA4 as central regulatory genes. For further investigation of the molecular basis of therapeutic targets, structure-based molecular docking and 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted on the selected targets involved in immune regulation. Molecular docking of the phytochemicals of Azadirachta indica identified Vilasinin, Nimbocinol, 7-Deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin, and 6-Deacetylnimbinene as potential modulators of IFN-γ, while nor-triterpenoid, Salannic acid, Vilasinin, and Deacetylgedunin were identified against IL-6 demonstrating strong binding affinity and key interactions with critical residues of IFN-γ (Gln46, Tyr53, Leu28) and IL-6 (Arg30, Leu33, Gln175, Arg179, Leu178). MD simulations revealed that ligand bound IFN-γ and IL-6 remained stable. MM/GBSA analysis identified that Vilasinin exhibited the most favorable binding affinity against both IFN-γ (−25.85 kcal/mol) and IL-6 (−17.21 kcal/mol). Additionally, the nor-triterpenoid compound showed acceptable binding affinity (−13.02 kcal/mol) toward IL-6, suggesting its potential as an additional modulator of IL-6 signaling. These findings suggest that these compounds can ac modulators of inflammatory cytokine targets. However, further experimental validation is required to validate the therapeutic potential of these candidate compounds. Additionally, this systems-level and structure-based analysis highlights key immune pathways and hub genes in L. infantum infection, and shows how transcriptomics and molecular modeling can help identify modulators to combat the infection.
A phytochemical investigation was conducted on the fruits of Lindera megaphylla, leading to the isolation and structural characterization of six compounds. These comprised five acylated flavonol monoglycosides (1-5) and one flavonol (6). Notably, compounds 1 and 2 were identified as previously undescribed. Furthermore, Compounds 1-5 potently inhibited NO production, with IC50 values ranging from 4.34 to 17.23 ?M. Further investigation of compound 1 revealed significant suppression of TNF-?, IL-6, and IL-1? production, mechanistically mediated through the inhibition of NF-?B activation.
Phytochemical investigation of ethanol extract from the bark of Rhus chinensis Mill. resulted in the isolation of six flavonoids, including a previously undescribed flavonoid termed rhusflavonoside (1). Their structures were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Notably, aureusidin (2), garbanzol (4), and naringenin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from R. chinensis for the first time. The antioxidant activities of all isolates were evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Among the tested compounds, aureusidin (2) exhibited exceptional antioxidant potency, with IC50 values of 0.57 mu M and 0.19 mu M based on the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. This study enriches the chemical profile of R. chinensis bark and highlights the potential of its flavonoid constituents as natural antioxidants for functional applications.
Eremophilane-type sesquiterpene glucosides have rarely been reported to date. A new member of this class, identified as nootkatone 13-O-?-D-glucoside (1), together with three known analogues (2–4) were isolated from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum. The structure of the newly isolated compound was fully elucidated via 1D and 2D NMR, complemented by HRESIMS and CD spectrum. As the third eremophilane-type glucoside isolated from the Solanaceae family, 1 exhibited moderate neuroprotective effect against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells at 10 ?M.
A novel benzofuran glycoside, named Eupbenzofuran I (1), was obtained from the n-butanol fraction of Eupatorium chinense L. roots by systematic extraction and fractionation, as well as three known compounds. Its planar structure was fully elucidated by comprehensive NMR spectroscopic data and HRESIMS, while the absolute configuration was determined through comparison of the experimental circular CD spectrum with the calculated ECD data. Pharmacological evaluation revealed that Eupbenzofuran I displayed potent inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and moderate inhibitory activity toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with corresponding IC50 values of 26.9 ± 1.2 ng/mL and 15.31 ± 0.16 μg/mL, respectively. Another three known compounds exhibited favorable inhibitory activities against COX-2, all of which were superior to the positive control indomethacin. Molecular docking simulations further confirmed that Eupbenzofuran I had favorable binding affinities with the target proteins involved in COX-2 and AChE inhibition.
Two new flavonoid glycosides, 5-ethoxy-6-[(E)-2-carboxyethenyl]-acacetin-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (1) and acacetin-8-C-beta-D-canaropyranoside (2), together with two known compounds, apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and acacetin-8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), were isolated from the aerial part of C. trilobus. Their structures were elucidated through a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data (1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS). Bioactivity evaluation revealed compound 1 has cytotoxicity against A549 cells (IC50 41.04 +/- 2.86 mu M) and MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 33.49 +/- 4.28 mu M).
A novel heptaketide compound (1), with twelve known compounds (2-13) were isolated from the solid fermentation product of the endophytic fungus Mariannaea superimposita obtained from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. The chemical structure of compound 1 were determined through spectral analysis including 1D/2D NMR data and HR-ESIMS. The cytotoxicity of the six compounds (1-6) was tested against six tumor cell lines (MCF-7, A549, HepG2, SKOV3, MDA-MB-231, and 143B). Compound 1 effectively inhibited the growth of human cancer cell lines MCF-7, A549, HepG2, and MDA-MB-231. The mitochondrial membrane potential measurements indicate that compound 1 promotes the premature apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
(S,E)-6,7-Dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-2-en-1-yl acetate (1), a known monoterpenoid first isolated from a natural source, together with 11 known compounds, was obtained from the rice culture of the soil-derived fungus Penicillium radulatum 12-4. The structure of 1 was established by NMR and HRESIMS, and its absolute configuration was confirmed as S by the modified Mosher method. Compounds 4-12 are reported from P. radulatum for the first time. Antimicrobial evaluation showed that ascomindone B (7) exhibited moderate broadspectrum activity against all four tested strains (MIC 25-100 & micro;g/mL), while compounds 1, 2,4 and 9 showed weak to moderate activity against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 25-100 & micro;g/mL).
Marine-derived fungi have been regarded as rich and reliable sources of biologically active and chemically novel compounds, which may both directly and indirectly be used as potential lead compounds for drug research and development. In this study, one new discovered 2-pyridone derivative, penicinine C (1), a new phenylhydrazone derivative, penicinine D (2), together with four known compounds, (14 beta, 22E)-9,14-dihydroxyergosta-4,7,22-triene-3,6-dione (3), ergochrome F (4), nafuredin A (5) and altenusin (6) were isolated and purified from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. MF20218001. Their chemical structures were elucidated through detailed 1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analysis, computational calculation methods and comparison with previously reported data. Bioactivity assays showed that compounds 1 and 5 exhibited weak activity against Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50 and 25 mu g/mL, respectively.
