lignans and linsidomine

There is mounting evidence that peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is closely related to the pathogenesis of various diseases. As a pharmacological strategy aimed at preventing ONOO(-)-mediated toxicity, the protective activity of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl (Oleaceae) against ONOO(-)-induced cellular damage was investigated and its active components identified. After bioactivity-guided fractionation of its methylene chloride fraction, two tetrahydrofurofuran lignans were isolated, namely phillygenin and 8-hydroxypinoresinol. The protective effects of these lignans against ONOO(-)-induced cell death were evaluated using renal epithelial cell LLC-PK1. Phillygenin and 8-hydroxypinoresinol significantly reduced the cell injury by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a ONOO(-) generator. The hydroxy substituents on the phenyl moieties may contribute to the antioxidant activities of these lignans. These results suggest that phillygenin and 8-hydroxypinoresinol may be useful for the therapeutic or preventive applications in treating ONOO(-)-related diseases.

Topics: Animals; Cytoprotection; Forsythia; Lignans; LLC-PK1 Cells; Molecular Structure; Molsidomine; Peroxynitrous Acid; Plant Extracts; Swine

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of the fruits of Forsythia suspensa Vahl has led to the isolation of two new monoepoxylignans, forsythialan A (1) and B (2), together with a known tetrahydrofurofuran lignan, phillyrin (3). The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The antioxidant activities of these lignans have been assessed by evaluating their protective effects against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative stress. The compounds 1 and 2 showed protective effects against renal epithelial cell injury by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite generator. The relatively stronger antioxidant activities of compounds 1 and 2 may be associated with the presence of aromatic hydroxy function.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Forsythia; Fruit; Furans; Glucosides; Lignans; LLC-PK1 Cells; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Structure; Molsidomine; Nitric Oxide Donors; Oxidative Stress; Peroxynitrous Acid; Plant Extracts; Swine