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Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with few treatment options. A promising TNBC treatment approach is targeting the oncogenic signaling pathways pivotal to TNBC initiation and progression. Deregulated activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is fundamental to driving TNBC malignant transformation, highlighting STAT3 as a promising TNBC therapeutic target. Methoxyhispolon Methyl Ether (MHME) is an analog of Hispolon, an anti-cancer polyphenol found in the medicinal mushroom Phellinus linteus. Still, MHME's anti-cancer effects and mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, we present the first report about MHME's anti-TNBC effect and its action mechanism. We first revealed that MHME is proapoptotic and cytotoxic against human TNBC cell lines HS578T, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-463 and displayed a more potent cytotoxicity than Hispolon's. Mechanistically, MHME suppressed both constitutive and interleukin 6 (IL-6)-induced activation of STAT3 represented by the extent of tyrosine 705-phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3). Notably, MHME-evoked apoptosis and clonogenicity impairment were abrogated in TNBC cells overexpressing a dominant-active mutant of STAT3 (STAT3-C); supporting the blockade of STAT3 activation is an integral mechanism of MHME's cytotoxic action on TNBC cells. Moreover, MHME downregulated BCL-2 in a STAT3-dependent manner, and TNBC cells overexpressing BCL-2 were refractory to MHME-induced apoptosis, indicating that BCL-2 downregulation is responsible for MHME's proapoptotic effect on TNBC cells. Finally, MHME suppressed SRC activation, while v-src overexpression rescued p-STAT3 levels and downregulated apoptosis in MHME-treated TNBC cells. Collectively, we conclude that MHME provokes TNBC cell apoptosis through the blockade of the SRC/STAT3/BCL-2 pro-survival axis. Our findings suggest the potential of applying MHME as a TNBC chemotherapy agent.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent human cancer globally. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-based systemic chemotherapy is the primary strategy for advanced CRC treatment, yet is limited by poor response rate. Deregulated activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is fundamental to driving CRC malignant transformation and a poor prognostic marker for CRC, underscoring STAT3 as a promising CRC drug target. Dehydroxyhispolon methyl ether (DHME) is an analog of Hispolon, an anticancer polyphenol abundant in the medicinal mushroom Phellinus linteus. Previously, we have established DHME's cytotoxic effect on human CRC cell lines by eliciting apoptosis through the blockade of WNT/ß-catenin signaling, a preeminent CRC oncogenic pathway. Herein, we unraveled that compared with 5-FU, DHME is a more potent killer of CRC cells while being much less toxic to normal colon epithelial cells. DHME suppressed both constitutive and interleukin 6 (IL-6)-induced STAT3 activation represented by tyrosine 705 phosphorylation of STAT3 (p-STAT3 (Y705)); notably, DHME-induced CRC apoptosis and clonogenicity limitation were abrogated by ectopic expression of STAT3-C, a dominant-active STAT3 mutant. Additionally, we proved that BCL-2 downregulation caused by DHME-mediated STAT3 blockage is responsible for DHME-induced CRC cell apoptosis. Lastly, DHME inhibited SRC activation, and v-src overexpression restored p-STAT3 (Y705) levels along with lowering the levels of apoptosis in DHME-treated CRC cells. We conclude DHME provokes CRC cell apoptosis by blocking the SRC/STAT3/BCL-2 axis besides thwarting WNT/ß-catenin signaling. The notion that DHME targets two fundamental CRC signaling pathways underpins the potential of DHME as a CRC chemotherapy agent.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Aberrant activation of WNT/ß-catenin signaling present in the vast majority of CRC cases is indispensable for CRC initiation and progression, and thus is a promising target for CRC therapeutics. Hispolon is a fungal-derived polyphenol with a pronounced anticancer effect. Several hispolon derivatives, including dehydroxyhispolon methyl ether (DHME), have been chemically synthesized for developing lead molecules with stronger anticancer activity. Herein, a DHME-elicited anti-CRC effect with the underlying mechanism is reported for the first time. Specifically, DHME was found to be more cytotoxic than hispolon against a panel of human CRC cell lines, while exerting limited toxicity to normal human colon cell line CCD 841 CoN. Additionally, the cytotoxic effect of DHME appeared to rely on inducing apoptosis. This notion was evidenced by DHME-elicited upregulation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and a cell population positively stained by annexin V, alongside the downregulation of antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), whereas the blockade of apoptosis by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk attenuated DHME-induced cytotoxicity. Further mechanistic inquiry revealed the inhibitory action of DHME on ß-catenin-mediated, T-cell factor (TCF)-dependent transcription activity, suggesting that DHME thwarted the aberrantly active WNT/ß-catenin signaling in CRC cells. Notably, ectopic expression of a dominant-active ß-catenin mutant (∆N90-ß-catenin) abolished DHME-induced apoptosis while also restoring BCL-2 expression. Collectively, we identified DHME as a selective proapoptotic agent against CRC cells, exerting more potent cytotoxicity than hispolon, and provoking CRC cell apoptosis via suppression of the WNT/ß-catenin signaling axis.

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The antiproliferative action of hispolon derivatives is stronger than that of related curcumin against several tumor cell lines. Hispolon size, smaller than curcumin, fits better than curcumin into the active site of HDAC6, an enzyme involved in deacetylation of lysine residues. HDACs are considered potential targets for tumor drug discovery and hydroxamates are known inhibitors of HDACs. One of them, SAHA (Vorinostat) is used in clinical studies. Investigations into possible mechanisms for hispolon derivatives active against the HCT116 colon tumor cell line are done after examining the structural results obtained from hispolon X-ray crystal structures as well as performing associated computational docking and Density Functional Theory techniques on HDAC6. These studies show preference for the HDAC6 active site by chelating the Zn center, in contrast with other ineffective hispolon derivatives, that establish only a single bond to the metal center. Structure activity relationships make clear that hydrogenation of the hispolon bridge also leads to single bond (non chelate) hispolon-Zn binding, and consistently nullifies the antiproliferative action against HCT116 tumor.

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BACKGROUND: Hispolons are natural products known to possess cytoprotective, antioxidant and anti-cancer activities. We have found recently anti TB activity in these compounds. Efforts were made to optimize the structure with bioisosteric replacement of 1,3-diketo functional group with the corresponding pyrazole and isoxazole moieties. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper is designing new hispolon isoxazole and pyrazole and the evaluation of their biological activities. METHODS: The designed compounds were prepared using classical organic synthesis methods. The anti- TB activity was evaluated using the MABA method. RESULTS: A total of 44 compounds were synthesized (1a- 1v and 2a-2v) and screened for anti TB activity and antibacterial activity. The compounds 1b and 1n showed the highest potency with MIC 1.6µg/mL against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. CONCLUSION: Bioisosteric replacement of 1,3-diketo functional group in hispolons with pyrazole or isoxazole rings have resulted in potent anti TB molecules. Docking simulations of these compounds on mtFabH enzyme resulted in a clear understanding of bioactivity profiles of these compounds. Docking scores are in good agreement with the anti TB activity obtained for these compounds. Computational studies and in vitro screening results indicate mtFabH as the probable target of these compounds.

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Hispolon (HS), a bioactive polyphenol, and its derivatives such as hispolon monomethyl ether (HME), hispolon pyrazole (HP), and hispolon monomethyl ether pyrazole (HMEP) were evaluated for comparative toxicity and antigenotoxic effects. The stability of HS derivatives in biological matrices followed the order HS < HP ≈ HME < HMEP. The cytotoxicity analysis of HS derivatives indicated that HP and HMEP were less toxic than HS and HME, respectively, in both normal and tumor cell types. The mechanisms of toxicity of HS and HME involved inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and/or induction of reductive stress. From the enzyme kinetic and docking studies, it was established that HS and HME interacted with the NADPH-binding domain of TrxR through electrostatic and hydrophobic bonds, resulting in inhibition of the catalytic activity. Subsequently, treatment with HS, HP, and HMEP at a nontoxic concentration of 10 µM in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells showed significant protection against radiation (4 Gy)-induced DNA damage as assessed by micronuclei and γ-H2AX assays. In conclusion, the above results suggested the importance of phenolic and diketo groups in controlling the stability and toxicity of HS derivatives. The pyrazole derivatives, HP and HMEP, may gain significance in the development of functional foods.

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Curcumin isoxazole (CI) and Curcumin pyrazole (CP), the diketo modified derivatives of Curcumin (CU) are metabolically more stable and are being explored for pharmacological properties. One of the requirements in such activities is their interaction with circulatory proteins like human serum albumin (HSA). To understand this, the interactions of CI and CP with HSA have been investigated employing absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and the results are compared with that of CU. The respective binding constants of CP, CI and CU with HSA were estimated to be 9.3×105, 8.4×105 and 2.5×105M-1, which decreased with increasing salt concentration in the medium. The extent of decrease in the binding constant was the highest in CP followed by CI and CU. This revealed that along with hydrophobic interaction other binding modes like electrostatic interactions operate between CP/CI/CU with HSA. Fluorescence quenching studies of HSA with these compounds suggested that both static and dynamic quenching mechanisms operate, where the contribution of static quenching is higher for CP and CI than that for CU. From fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies, the binding site of CU, CI and CP was found to be in domain IIA of HSA. CU was found to bind in closer proximity with Trp214 as compared to CI and CP and the same was responsible for efficient energy transfer and the same was also established by fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Furthermore docking simulation complemented the experimental observation, where both electrostatic as well as hydrophobic interactions were indicated between HSA and CP, CI and CU. This study is useful in designing more stable CU derivatives having suitable binding properties with proteins like HSA.

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Hispolon (HIS) is an active polyphenol compound derived from Phellinus linteus (Berkeley & Curtis), and our previous study showed that HIS effectively inhibited inflammatory responses in macrophages [Yang, L.Y., S.C. Shen, K.T. Cheng, G.V. Subbaraju, C.C. Chien and Y.C. Chen. Hispolon inhibition of inflammatory apoptosis through reduction of iNOS/NO production via HO-1 induction in macrophages. J. Ethnopharmacol. 156: 61-72, 2014]; however, its effect on neuronal inflammation is still undefined. In this study, HIS concentration- and time-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-induced inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)/NO production with increased heme oxygenase (HO)-1 proteins in BV-2 microglial cells. Accordingly, HIS protected BV-2 cells from LPS- or LTA-induced apoptosis, characterized by decreased DNA ladder formation, and caspase-3 and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein cleavage in BV-2 cells. Similarly, the NOS inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME), inhibited LPS- or LTA-induced apoptosis of BV-2 cells, but neither NAME nor HIS showed any inhibition of NO production or cell death induced by the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), indicating the involvement of NO in the inflammatory apoptosis of microglial cells. Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor (NF)-[Formula: see text]B contributed to LPS- or LTA-induced iNOS/NO production and apoptosis of BV-2 cells, and that was suppressed by HIS. Additionally, HIS possesses activity to induce HO-1 protein expression via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in BV-2 cells, and application of the HO inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), or knockdown of HO-1 protein by HO-1 small interfering (si)RNA significantly reversed HIS inhibition of NO production and cell death in BV-2 cells stimulated by LPS. Results of an analysis of the effects of HIS and two structurally related chemicals, i.e. dehydroxy-HIS (D-HIS) and HIS-methyl ester (HIS-ME), showed that HIS expressed the most potent inhibitory effects on iNOS/NO production, JNK activation, and apoptosis in BV-2 microglial cells activated by LPS with increased HO-1 protein expression. Overall these results suggested that HIS possesses inhibitory activity against LPS- or LTA-induced inflammatory responses including iNOS/NO production and apoptosis in BV-2 microglial cells and that the mechanisms involve upregulation of the HO-1 protein and downregulation of JNK/NF-[Formula: see text]B activation. A critical role of hydroxyl at position C3 in the anti-inflammatory actions of HIS against activated BV-2 microglial cells was suggested.

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A series of 20 hispolons/dihydrohispolons were synthesized and characterized by spectral data. These compounds were subjected to in vitro antitubercular activity screening against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv) strain. The synthesized compounds showed varied antitubercular activity ranging from 100 to 1.6µg/mL. Among the screened compounds, four compounds (H1, H2, H3 and H15) have shown moderate activity with MIC 25µg/mL. Potent activities were observed for the dihydrohispolon derivative H14 (MIC 1.6µg/mL) followed by H13 (6.25µg/mL) and H17 (12.5µg/mL), H19 (3.125µg/ML). Docking simulations gave good insights on the possible interactions between the tested compounds and ß-keto acyl synthase enzyme (mtbFabH). Drug-inhibitor combination studies showed no synergism with the drugs targeting mycolic acid biosynthesis (isoniazid, ethambutol and thiolactomycin, a specific inhibitor of KAS-B enzyme) but showed significant synergism with other drugs including rifampicin and ciprofloxacin ascertaining the drug target for hispolons as inhibition of mycolic acid biosynthesis, probably via mtbFabH.

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Hispolon (HS), a natural polyphenol found in medicinal mushrooms, and its isoxazole (HI) and pyrazole (HP) derivatives have been examined for free radical reactions and in vitro antioxidant activity. Reaction of these compounds with one-electron oxidant, azide radicals ([Formula: see text]) and trichloromethyl peroxyl radicals ([Formula: see text]), model peroxyl radicals, studied by nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique, indicated formation of phenoxyl radicals absorbing at 420 nm with half life of few hundred microseconds (µs). The formation of phenoxyl radicals confirmed that the phenolic OH is the active centre for free radical reactions. Rate constant for the reaction of these radicals with these compounds were in the order kHI ≅ kHP > kHS. Further the compounds were examined for their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation in model membranes and also for the scavenging of 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and superoxide ([Formula: see text]) radicals. The results suggested that HP and HI are less efficient than HS towards these radical reactions. Quantum chemical calculations were performed on these compounds to understand the mechanism of reaction with different radicals. Lower values of adiabatic ionization potential (AIP) and elevated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) for HI and HP compared with HS controlled their activity towards [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] radicals, whereas the contribution of overall anion concentration was responsible for higher activity of HS for DPPH, [Formula: see text], and lipid peroxyl radical. The results confirm the role of different structural moieties on the antioxidant activity of hispolon derivatives.

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The antitumor activity of ruthenium(II) arene (p-cymene, benzene, hexamethylbenzene) derivatives containing modified curcumin ligands (HCurcI=(1E,4Z,6E)-5-hydroxy-1,7-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)hepta-1,4,6-trien-3-one and HCurcII=(1E,4Z,6E)-5-hydroxy-1,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)hepta-1,4,6-trien-3-one) is described. These have been characterized by IR, ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure of HCurcI has been determined and compared with its related Ru complex. Four complexes have been evaluated against five tumor cell lines, whose best activities [IC50 (µM)] are: breast MCF7, 9.7; ovarian A2780, 9.4; glioblastoma U-87, 9.4; lung carcinoma A549, 13.7 and colon-rectal HCT116, 15.5; they are associated with apoptotic features. These activities are improved when compared to the already known corresponding curcumin complex, (p-cymene)Ru(curcuminato)Cl, about twice for the breast and ovarian cancer, 4.7 times stronger in the lung cancer and about 6.6 times stronger in the glioblastoma cell lines. In fact, the less active (p-cymene)Ru(curcuminato)Cl complex only shows similar activity to two novel complexes in the colon cancer cell line. Comparing antitumor activity between these novel complexes and their related curcuminoids, improvement of antiproliferative activity is seen for a complex containing CurcII in A2780, A549 and U87 cell lines, whose IC50 are halved. Therefore, after replacing OH curcumin groups with OCH3, the obtained species HCurcI and its Ru complexes have increased antitumor activity compared to curcumin and its related complex. In contrast, HCurcII is less cytotoxic than curcumin but its related complex [(p-cymene)Ru(CurcII)Cl] is twice as active as HCurcII in 3 cell lines. Results from these novel arene-Ru curcuminoid species suggest that their increased cytotoxicity on tumor cells correlate with increase of curcuminoid lipophilicity.

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Phytochemicals play an important role in cancer therapy. Hispolon and 26 of its analogs (9 known and 17 new) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities in a panel of six independent human cancer cell lines using the in vitro cell-based MTT assay. Among the hispolon analogs tested, compound VA-2, the most potent overall, produced its most significant effect in the colon cancer cell lines HCT-116 (IC50 1.4 ± 1.3 µM) and S1 (IC50 1.8 ± 0.9 µM) compared to its activity in the normal HEK293/pcDNA3.1 cell line (IC50 15.8±3.7 µM; p<0.01 for each comparison). Based on our results, VA-2 was about 9- to 11-times more potent in colon cancer cells and 2- to 3-times more potent in prostate cancer cells compared to HEK293/pcDNA3.1 cells. Morphological analysis of VA-2 showed significant reduction of cell number, while the cells' sizes were also markedly increased and were obvious at 68 h of treatment with 1 µM in HCT-116 (colon) and PC-3 (prostate) cancer cells. A known analog, compound VA-4, prepared by simple modifications on the aromatic functional groups of hispolon, inhibited prostate and colon cancer cell lines with IC50 values <10 µM. In addition, hispolon isoxazole and pyrazole analogs, VA-7 and VA-15 (known), respectively, have shown significant activity with the mean ICv values in the range 3.3-10.7 µM in all the cancer cell lines tested. Activity varied among the analogs in which aromatic functional groups and ß-diketone functional groups are modified. But the activity of analogs VA-16 to VA-27 was completely lost when the side chain double-bond was hydrogenated indicating the crucial role of this functionality for anticancer activity. Furthermore, many of the compounds synthesized were not substrates for the ABCB1-transporter, the most common cause of multidrug resistance in anti-cancer drugs, suggesting they may be more effective anticancer agents.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Phellinus linteus (Berkeley & Curtis), a well-known medical fungus, has long been used as a traditional medicine in Oriental countries to treat various diseases, and hispolon (HIS) is one of its bioactive components. HIS is known to possess potent antineoplastic and antiviral properties; however, its effect on inflammatory apoptosis is still undefined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with HIS for 30 min followed by LPS, LTA, or PGN stimulation for 12h. The expression of indicated proteins AP-1 and NF-κB transcriptional activities was examined by Western blotting using specific antibodies. Levels of NO and ROS were examined by Griess reaction, and DCHF-DA staining via flow cytometric analysis, respectively. AP-1 and NF-κB transcriptional activities were detected by luciferase reporter assay. Knockdown of HO-1 protein expression was performed by transfection of macrophages with HO-1 siRNA. Pharmacological inhibitors including ROS scavenger NAC, JNK inhibitor SP600125, NF-κB inhibitor BAY117082 were applied for mechanism study. RESULTS: HIS showed concentration-dependent inhibition of LPS, LTA, and PGN-induced iNOS protein expressions and NO production by RAW264.7 macrophages. Accordingly, HIS protected RAW264.7 cells from LPS-, LTA-, and PGN-induced apoptosis. Increased HO-1 by HIS was detected at both protein and mRNA levels along with an increase in intracellular peroxide, and this was inhibited by the translational inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), the transcriptional inhibitor, actinomycin D (Act D), and the reactive oxygen species scavenger, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). A mechanistic study indicated that inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) protein phosphorylation, and activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation were involved in the anti-inflammatory actions of HIS in macrophages. A structure-activity relationship analysis showed that HIS expressed the most potent effect of inhibiting iNOS and apoptosis elicited by LPS, LTA, and PGN with a significant increase in HO-1 protein in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supporting HIS prevention of inflammatory apoptosis via blocking NO production and inducing HO-1 protein expression in macrophages is provided, and the hydroxyl at position C3 is a critical substitution for the anti-inflammatory actions of HIS.

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A simple and sensitive reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of catechin and epicatechin in cocoa powder and chocolates. The separation was achieved on a reversed phase C 18 column (TARGA) 5 µm by gradient elution with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/minute with an operating temperature of 30°C and detection with a UV-Visible detector was at 280 nm. The method was validated for linearity, precision, intra- and interday precision, and accuracy. The developed method is successfully applied for the determination of catechin and epicatechin content in chocolates. The Godiva brand chocolate contains high concentration of epicatechin.

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Curcumin, a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) contains two hydroxyl, two methoxy and two phenyl groups but how these groups contribute to its activity is poorly understood. We synthesized analogues that varied in inclusion of these groups and compared their activity. We found that bisdemethylcurcumin (BDC) was more potent than curcumin as an anti-inflammatory agent as indicated by suppression of TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation, more potent as an anti-proliferative agent, and more potent in inducing ROS. Hispolon, which lacks one aromatic unit in relation to curcumin, also exhibited enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. When synthetic curcumin (Cur-S) was compared with bisdemethylcurcumin (BDC), hispolon, hispolon methyl ether (HME), dehydroxy hispolon (DH), hydroxy hispolon (HH), methoxy hispolon methyl ether (MHME), and methoxy hispolon (MH), we found that following order of anti-inflammatory activity: BDC=Hispolon>HME>HH>Cur-S>MHME>MH>DH; for anti-proliferative: Hispolon>BDC>MHME>Cur-S>MH>HME=HH>DH; and for prooxidant: BDC>Cur-S=MHME>HH>MH+HME>DH (254-1414 mean fluorescence intensity). Thus, dehydroxy hispolon was least potent for all three activities. Overall the results indicate that the substitution of a hydroxyl group for a methoxy group at the meta positions of the phenyl rings in curcumin significantly enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity, and the removal of phenyl ring at the 7(th) position of the heptadiene back bone and addition of hydroxyl group significantly increased the anti-proliferative activity of curcumin.

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Sirtuins (class III histone deacetylase) are evolutionarily conserved NAD(+)-dependent enzymes that catalyze the deacetylation of acetyl-lysine residues of histones and other target proteins. Because of their associations in various pathophysiological conditions, the identification of small molecule modulators has been of significant interest. In the present study, virtual screening was carried out with NCI Diversity Set II using crystal structure of hSIRT2 (PDB ID: 1J8F) as a model for the docking procedure to find potential compounds, which were then subjected to experimental tests for their in vitro SIRT2 inhibitory activity. One of the 40 compounds tested, NSC671136 (IUPAC name: 6-Acetyl-4-oxo-1,3-diphenyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl 2,4-dichlorobenzoate) has structurally unique scaffold, showed strong inhibitory activity towards SIRT2 with IC(50) of ~8.7 µM and to a lesser extent on SIRT1 activity. The reported compound is substantially potent compared to the published SIRT2 inhibitors and serves as an excellent base for future lead development.

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Investigation of the methanol extract of Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) roots for bioactive constituents yielded a novel withanolide sulfoxide compound (1) along with a known withanolide dimer ashwagandhanolide (2) with an S-linkage. The structure of compound 1 was established by extensive NMR and MS experiments. Compound 1 was highly selective in inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme by 60% at 100 microm with no activity against COX-1 enzyme. The IC(50) values of compound 1 against human gastric (AGS), breast (MCF-7), central nervous system (SF-268) and colon (HCT-116) cancer cell lines were in the range 0.74-3.63 microm. Both S-containing dimeric withanolides, 1 and 2, completely suppressed TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation when tested at 100 microm. The isolation of a withanolide sulfoxide from W. somnifera roots and its ability to inhibit COX-2 enzyme and to suppress human tumor cell proliferation are reported here for the first time. In addition, this is the first report on the abrogation of TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation for compounds 1 and 2.

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Intricatinol and intricatin, the two homoisoflavonoids isolated from Hoffmanosseggia intricata, and two analogs have been synthesized from pyrogallol in three steps. The spectral data of synthetic intricatinol are in good agreement with those of natural metabolite, but the spectral data of intricatin are not corroborative with those of the natural product. The structure of intricatin has been thus revised to 8-methoxybonducellin, a compound isolated from Caesalpinia pulcherrima. The antioxidant activity of all the four homoisoflavonoids was determined by superoxide (NBT) and DPPH free radical scavenging methods. The synthetic analog 7,8-dihydroxy-3-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methylene]chroman-4-one displayed excellent activity in both methods.

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A new dimeric withanolide, ashwagandhanolide (1), was isolated from the roots of an Ayurvedic medicinal herb, Withania somnifera. A detailed spectroscopic evaluation revealed its identity as a dimer with an unusual thioether linkage. Compound 1 displayed growth inhibition against human gastric (AGS), breast (MCF-7), central nervous system (SF-268), colon (HCT-116), and lung (NCI H460) cancer cell lines, with IC50 values in the range 0.43-1.48 microg/mL. In addition, it inhibited lipid peroxidation and the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 in vitro.

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An improved high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the standardisation of Gymnema sylvestre is reported. The method involves the initial hydrolysis of gymnemic acids, the active ingredients, to a common aglycone followed by the quantitative estimation of gymnemagenin. The present method rectifies an error found in an HPTLC method reported recently.

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