lignans and grandisin

The

Topics: Furans; Lignans; Piper; Plant Extracts

Myristica fragrans Houtt., the source of very important spice 'nutmeg' used world over is native to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Southeast Asia. Phytochemical investigation of M. fragrans stem bark led to the isolation of bis-aryl dimethyl tetrahydrofuran lignans, such as grandisin [(7S,8S,7'S,8'S)-3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexamethoxy-7,7',8,8'-lignan] and (7S,8S,7'R,8'R)-3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexamethoxy-7,7',8,8'-lignan along with important lignans and neolignans, licarinA, licarin B, odoratisol A, (2S, 3R)-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-((E)-prop-1-enyl)-2-(5-methoxy,3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, elemicin, fragransin B

Topics: Anisoles; Benzofurans; Dioxoles; Furans; India; Indonesia; Lignans; Molecular Structure; Myristica; Phytochemicals; Plant Bark; Spectrum Analysis; Sri Lanka

Using bioisosterism as a medicinal chemistry tool, 16 3,5-diaryl-isoxazole analogues of the tetrahydrofuran neolignans veraguensin, grandisin and machilin G were synthesized via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, with yields from 43% to 90%. Antitrypanosomatid activities were evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania (L.) amazonensis and Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. All compounds were selective for the Leishmania genus and inactive against T. cruzi. Isoxazole analogues showed a standard activity on both promastigotes of L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis. The most active compounds were 15, 16 and 19 with IC

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Cell Survival; Drug Design; Furans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Isoxazoles; Leishmania; Lignans; Mice; NIH 3T3 Cells; Structure-Activity Relationship; Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) endemic in developing countries. Although there are drugs available for their treatment, efforts on finding new efficacious therapies are continuous. The natural lignans grandisin (1) and veraguensin (2) show activity against trypomastigote T. cruzi and their scaffold has been used as inspiration to design new derivatives with improved potency and chemical properties. We describe here the planning and microwave-irradiated synthesis of 26 isoxazole derivatives based on the structure of the lignans 1 and 2. In addition, the in vitro evaluation against culture trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi and intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis and L. infantum is reported. Among the synthesized derivatives, compounds 17 (IC

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Drug Design; Furans; Isoxazoles; Leishmania infantum; Leishmania mexicana; Leishmaniasis; Lignans; Molecular Structure; NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; Structure-Activity Relationship; Trypanosoma cruzi

Chemical investigation of Cassia grandis leaves resulted in the isolation of the new 2-methoxy 6,7,2',6'-tetrahydroxy flavanone 6-O-β-glucoside together with the known flavonol glycosides, kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnoside, and quercetin 3-O-α-rhamnoside. The structure assign ments were based on conventional analytical methods and confirmed by HRFTESIMS, 1H and 13C NMR, COSY, HSQC and HMBC data. The total phenolic content of the extract was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu's method. The antioxidant capacity was investigated using DPPH radical scavenging assay. The ethyl acetate and the n-butanol fractions showed poor cytotoxic activity only at high concentrations against the three different cancer cell lines, hepatocellular (HepG-2), breast (MCF-7), and prostate (PC3) by the neutral red uptake assay.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Biphenyl Compounds; Cassia; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Female; Free Radical Scavengers; Furans; Humans; Lignans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; Phenols; Picrates; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves

Sixteen 1,4-diaryl-1,2,3-triazole compounds 4-19 derived from the tetrahydrofuran neolignans veraguensin 1, grandisin 2, and machilin G 3 were tested against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis intracellular amastigotes. Triazole compounds 4-19 were synthetized via Click Chemistry strategy by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between terminal acetylenes and aryl azides containing methoxy and methylenedioxy groups as substituents. Our results suggest that most derivatives were active against intracellular amastigotes, with IC50 values ranging from 4.4 to 32.7 µM. The index of molecular hydrophobicity (ClogP) ranged from 2.8 to 3.4, reflecting a lipophilicity/hydrosolubility rate suitable for transport across membranes, which may have resulted in the potent antileishmanial activity observed. Regarding structure-activity relationship (SAR), compounds 14 and 19, containing a trimethoxy group, were the most active (IC50 values of 5.6 and 4.4 µM, respectively), with low cytotoxicity on mammalian cells (SI = 14.1 and 10.6). These compounds induced nitric oxide production by the host macrophage cells, which could be suggested as the mechanism involved in the intracellular killing of parasites. These results would be useful for the planning of new derivatives with higher antileishmanial activities.

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Furans; Humans; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Lignans; Macrophages; Nitric Oxide; Structure-Activity Relationship

(-)-grandisin is a tetrahydrofuran lignan that displays important biological properties, such as trypanocidal, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antitumor activities, suggesting its utility as a potential drug candidate. One important step in drug development is metabolic characterization and metabolite identification. To perform a biotransformation study of (-)-grandisin and to determine its kinetic properties in humans, a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated. After HPLC method validation, the kinetic properties of (-)-grandisin were determined. (-)-grandisin metabolism obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The maximal reaction rate (Vmax ) was 3.96 ± 0.18 µmol/mg protein/h, and the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km ) was 8.23 ± 0.99 μM. In addition, the structures of the metabolites derived from (-)-grandisin were characterized via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Four metabolites, 4-O-demethylgrandisin, 3-O-demethylgrandisin, 4,4'-di-O-demethylgrandisin, and a metabolite that may correspond to either 3,4-di-O-demethylgrandisin or 3,5-di-O-demethylgrandisin, were detected. CYP2C9 isoform was the main responsible for the formation of the metabolites. These metabolites have not been previously described, demonstrating the necessity of assessing (-)-grandisin metabolism using human-derived materials.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Furans; Humans; Lignans; Microsomes, Liver; Protein Isoforms

The lignan (-)-grandisin has shown important pharmacological activities, such as citotoxicity and antiangiogenic, antibacterial and trypanocidal activities. So, it has been considered as a potential drug candidate. In the early drug development process, drug metabolism is one of the main parameters that should be evaluated; therefore, the biotransformation of this lignan by rat liver microsomes was investigated for the first time. In order to perform the biotransformation study and to determine the kinetic parameters, a simple, sensitive and selective HPLC method was developed and fully validated. After method validation, the biotransformation study was accomplished and the kinetic parameters were determined. The biotransformation study obeyed the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The V(max) and K(m) were 1.46 ± 0.034 μmol/mg protein/h and 8.99 ± 0.488 μM, respectively. In addition, the formation of dihydro-grandisin, characterized by GC-MS, by mammalian systems indicated the involvement of a CYP450 enzyme type.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Biotransformation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Furans; Kinetics; Lignans; Male; Microsomes, Liver; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Tetrahydrofuran lignans represent a well-known group of phenolic compounds capable of acting as antiparasitic agents. In the search for new medicines for the treatment of Chagas disease, one promising compound is grandisin which has shown significant activity on trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this work, the in vitro metabolism of grandisin was studied in the pig cecum model and by biomimetic phase I reactions, aiming at an ensuing a preclinical pharmacokinetic investigation. Although grandisin exhibited no metabolization by the pig microbiota, one putative metabolite was formed in a biomimetic model using Jacobsen catalyst. The putative metabolite was tested against T. cruzi revealing loss of activity in comparison to grandisin.

Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Cecum; Chagas Disease; Furans; Lignans; Molecular Structure; Piper; Plant Extracts; Swine; Trypanosoma cruzi

Preclinical investigations can start with preliminary in vitro studies before using animal models. Following this approach, the number of animals used in preclinical acute toxicity testing can be reduced. In this study, we employed an in-house validated in vitro cytotoxicity test based on the Spielmann approach for toxicity evaluation of the lignan grandisin, a candidate anticancer agent, and its major metabolite, the 4-O-demethylgrandisin, by neutral red uptake (NRU) assay, on mouse fibroblasts Balb/c 3T3 cell line. Using different concentrations of grandisin and its major metabolite (2.31; 1.16; 0.58; 0.29; 0.14; 0.07; 0.04; 0.002 μM) in Balb/c 3T3-A31 NRU cytotoxicity assay, after incubation for 48 h, we obtained IC(50) values for grandisin and its metabolite of 0.078 and 0.043 μM, respectively. The computed LD(50) of grandisin and 4-O-demethylgrandisin were 617.72 and 429.95 mg/kg, respectively. Both were classified under the Globally Harmonized System as category 4. Since pharmacological and toxicological data are crucial in the developmental stages of drug discovery, using an in vitro assay we demonstrated that grandisin and its metabolite exhibit distinct toxicity profiles. Furthermore, results presented in this work can contribute to reduce the number of animals required in subsequent pharmacological/toxicological studies.

Topics: Animal Testing Alternatives; Animals; BALB 3T3 Cells; Cell Survival; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Furans; Lignans; Mice; Molecular Structure; Piper; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Toxicity Tests, Acute

The chemoprotective effect of the tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin against DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) has been evaluated using the in vitro rodent micronucleus assay.. The effects of a daily oral administration of grandisin (2, 4, or 8 mg/kg) for five days before exposure to cyclophosphamide on the frequency of micronucleus in the bone marrow of normal mice exposed and unexposed to cyclophosphamide were investigated (n = 5 per group). Electrochemical measurements were applied to investigate whether the antimutagenic effects of grandisin could be, at least in part, a consequence of its or its metabolite's antioxidant properties.. Grandisin did not show mutagenic effects on the bone marrow cells of exposed mice. On the other hand, the oral administration of grandisin (2, 4, or 8 mg/kg) per day reduced dose-dependently the frequency of micronucleus, induced by cyclophosphamide, in all groups studied. Cyclic voltammograms showed two peaks for a grandisin metabolite, which were absent for grandisin.. Under the conditions tested herein, this study has shown that mice treated with grandisin presented, in a dose-dependent manner, a protective effect against cyclophosphamide-induced mutagenicity. This effect could be, at least in part, associated to grandisin bioactivation. These data open new perspectives for further investigation into the toxicology and applied pharmacology of grandisin.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Bone Marrow Cells; Cyclophosphamide; DNA Damage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Furans; Lignans; Male; Mice; Micronucleus Tests; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties of the neolignan, grandisin, isolated from Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae) were investigated. Grandisin (GRA) is present in several plant species from Brazil used in popular medicine for the treatment of disorders such as colic, inflammation, rheumatism, dyspepsia and liver dysfunction. These studies demonstrated that GRA is able to inhibit the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice dose-dependently, and that this effect is not caused by motor incoordination or sedation due to depressant effect in the CNS. Through the formalin test the antiinflammatory activity of GRA was characterized, this substance reduced the time licking the paw by 60.5% (only in the second phase (inflammatory pain). This activity was also verified by the oil-induced ear oedema test, where GRA 10.0 mg/kg reduced the oedema by 36.4%. The results suggest that GRA has antinociceptive effects arising from antiinflammatory activity.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Furans; Lignans; Male; Mice; Myristicaceae; Pain; Pain Measurement; Plant Extracts

The toxicity of tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin was evaluated against larvae of Chrysomya megacephala F. (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The bioassay involved topical treatment on larvae, topical treatment on egg masses, and incorporation in the larval diet. Grandisin showed inhibition of postembryonic development by ovicidal (30%) and larvicidal (38%) effects and reduced larval weight (4 mg), when topically applied on egg masses and starving larvae (L1) at a concentration of 100 microg/microl. These findings elucidated the effect of grandisin on the C. megacephala life cycle and its potential to control C. megacephala populations.

Topics: Animals; Diptera; Furans; Insect Control; Insecticides; Lignans; Metamorphosis, Biological; Piper; Toxicity Tests

Dengue is a tropical disease caused by an arbovirus transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Because no effective vaccine is available for the disease, the strategy for its prevention has focused on vector control by the use of natural insecticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of the lignan grandisin, a leaf extract from Piper solmsianum, against Ae. aegypti.

Topics: Aedes; Animals; Furans; Insecticides; Larva; Lignans

The antitumoural properties of grandisin, a tetrahydrofuran neolignan from Piper solmsianum, were investigated by in-vitro and in-vivo assays using the Ehrlich ascites tumoural (EAT) model.. Viability of the tumour cells was evaluated by Trypan blue exclusion and MTT methods, after incubation with grandisin (0.017-2.3 microm). The effects of grandisin on the activity of caspase-3, -6, -8, and -9 were also investigated using colorimetric protease kits. In-vivo studies were performed in EAT-bearing mice treated intraperitoneally with 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg grandisin for 10 days.. Grandisin inhibited the growth of EAT cells, by both methods, with IC50 values less than 0.25 microm. The results showed that the activity of all the caspases studied increased in grandisin-treated cells, when compared with control, non-treated cells. Administering grandisin to EAT-bearing mice increased survival of the animals, in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, we detected a 66.35% reduction of intraperitoneal tumour cell burden in the animals treated with 10 mg/kg grandisin. Additionally, in these animals, the marked increase of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, induced by EAT development, was decreased with treatment with grandisin, resulting in a reduction of 32.1% of VEGF levels in the peritoneal washing supernatant, when compared with the control.. The results demonstrated that grandisin induced in-vitro cytotoxicity and antiangiogenic effects in mice while it acted against tumour evolution, prolonging host survival.

Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor; Caspases; Cell Proliferation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Furans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Lignans; Male; Mice; Neoplasms, Experimental; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Phytotherapy; Piper; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The biotransformation of the major Piper solmsianum leaf phenylpropanoids, such as the tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin and derivatives was investigated in the beetle Naupactus bipes as well as in the caterpillars Heraclides hectorides and Quadrus u-lucida. Analysis of fecal material indicated that metabolism occurred mainly through mono- and di-O-demethylation at para positions of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl rings of tetrahydrofuran lignans during digestion by these insects. Additionally, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxycinnamyl and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamyl alcohols were identified in fecal extracts of N. bipes.

Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Furans; Lepidoptera; Lignans; Molecular Structure; Piper; Propanols

Two new tetrahydrofuran lignans, kadlongirins A and B (1, 2), a new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, 2,7-dihydroxy-11,12-dehydrocalamenene (3), together with seven known lignans, grandisin, fragransin B1, vladirol F, kadsuralignan C, otobaphenol, isoanwulignan, and 4-[4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl]-2-methoxy-phenol, were isolated from the leaves and stems of Kadsura longipedunculata. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 exhibited weak anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 activity with an EC50 value of 16.0 microg/ml, and therapeutic index (TI) value of 6.7.

Topics: Anti-HIV Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Furans; Humans; Kadsura; Lignans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; Phytotherapy; Sesquiterpenes