Ching Yuh Chern

Inhibition of superoxide anion and elastase release in human neutrophils by 3′‐isopropoxychalcone via a cAMP‐dependent pathway

1 Chalcone is abundantly present in the plant kingdom and has various biological activities such as anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant. In this study, the semisynthetic chalcone derivative, 3′‐isopropoxychalcone (H2O7D), was demonstrated to inhibit the generation of superoxide and the release of elastase, as well as to accelerate resequestration of cytosolic calcium in formyl‐L‐methionyl‐L‐leucyl‐L‐phenylalanine‐activated human neutrophils. 2 H2O7D displayed no antioxidant or superoxide‐scavenging ability, and it failed to alter the subcellular NADPH oxidase activity. 3 H2O7D induced a substantial increase in cAMP but not cGMP levels. The elevation of cAMP formation by H2O7D was inhibited by adenosine deaminase (ADA). Furthermore, The inhibitory effects of H2O7D were reversed by protein kinase (PK)A inhibitors, as well as ADA and a selective A2a‐receptor antagonist. 4 H2O7D inhibited phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities, but it did not alter adenylyl cyclase and soluble guanylyl cyclase activities. These results show that the cAMP‐elevating effect of H2O7D results from the inhibition of PDE activity and not from the stimulation of cyclase function. Consistent with this, H2O7D potentiated the PGE1‐caused inhibitory effects and cAMP formation. 5 In summary, these results indicate that the inhibitory effect of H2O7D is cAMP/PKA dependent, and that it occurs through inhibition of cAMP PDE, which potentiates the autocrine functions of endogenous adenosine. Inhibition of respiratory burst and degranulation in human neutrophils may give this drug the potential to protect against the progression of inflammation.

Selective N-debenzylation of amides with p-TsOH

Abstract N -Benzylamides were debenzylated efficiently with 4 equiv. of p -TsOH in refluxing toluene. Good to quantitative yields of the desired primary amides were obtained within 2–4 h from a wide variety of N -2,4-dimethoxybenzylamides. N -4-Methoxylbenzyl amides and N -benzylamides were also debenzylated cleanly. In the case of N -2,4-dimethoxylbenzylamides, selective N -debenzylation was possible in the presence of N -Fmoc, N - t -BOC or N -trityl-protection. Protected amino acid amides survived these conditions without any detectable epimerization.

Nothapodytines A and B from Nothapodytes foetida

Two new naturally occurring alkaloids, nothapodytines A and B, were isolated and characterized from the stems of Nothapodytes foetida.

Synthesis of Analogues of Gingerol and Shogaol, the Active Pungent Principles from the Rhizomes of Zingiber officinale and Evaluation of Their Anti-Platelet Aggregation Effects

The present study was aimed at discovering novel biologically active compounds based on the skeletons of gingerol and shogaol, the pungent principles from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. Therefore, eight groups of analogues were synthesized and examined for their inhibitory activities of platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, collagen, platelet activating factor, and thrombin. Among the tested compounds, [6]-paradol (5b) exhibited the most significant anti-platelet aggregation activity. It was the most potent candidate, which could be used in further investigation to explore new drug leads.

Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Chalcone and Chalcone Analogues in a Zebrafish Model

The aim of this study was to investigate novel chalcones with potent anti-inflammatory activities in vivo. Chalcone and two chalcone analogues (compound 5 and 9) were evaluated using a caudal fin-wounded transgenic zebrafish line “Tg(mpx:gfp)” to visualize the effect of neutrophil recruitment dynamically. Results showed that treatment with compound 9 not only affected wound-induced neutrophil recruitment, but also affected Mpx enzymatic activity. Moreover, protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors (Mpx, NFκB, and TNFα) were also regulated by compound 9. Taken together, our results provide in vivo evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of synthesized chalcone analogues on wound-induced inflammation.

Structure and synthesis of [n]-dehydroshogaols from Zingiber officinale

Three new dehydroshogaols have been isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis and synthesis.

Efficient Synthesis of 2‐(N‐Substituted)‐2‐imidazolines and 2‐(N‐Substituted)‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidines

Abstract A general method for the preparation of 2‐(N‐Substituted)‐2‐imidazolines and 2‐(N‐Substituted)‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidines is described. These heterocycles can be synthesized from their respective anilines with 2‐chloro‐2‐imidazoline or 2‐chloro‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidine, generated in situ from imidazolidin‐2‐one and tetrahydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one activated by dimethyl chlorophosphate, in good to excellent yields.

Pro-Angiogenic Effects of Chalcone Derivatives in Zebrafish Embryos in Vivo.

The aim of this study was to investigate novel chalcones with potent angiogenic activities in vivo. Chalcone-based derivatives were evaluated using a transgenic zebrafish line with fluorescent vessels to real-time monitor the effect on angiogenesis. Results showed that the chalcone analogues did not possess anti-angiogenic effect on zebrafish vasculatures; instead, some of them displayed potent pro-angiogenic effects on the formation of the sub-intestinal vein. Similar pro-angiogenic effects can also be seen on wild type zebrafish embryos. Moreover, the expression of vegfa, the major regulator for angiogenesis, was also upregulated in their treatment. Taken together, we have synthesized and identified a series of novel chalcone-based derivatives as potent in vivo pro-angiogenic compounds. These novel compounds hold potential for therapeutic angiogenesis.

One‐Pot Synthesis of Ene‐Lactams via N‐Debenzylation of Keto‐Containing N‐2,4‐Dimethoxylbenzylamides

Abstract A general method of ene‐lactam preparation is described. Ene‐lactams can be prepared efficiently from keto‐containing N‐2,4‐dimethoxylbenzylamides in good to excellent yields. This method is applicable for the preparation of substituted δ‐, γ‐, and ϵ‐ene‐lactams and bicyclic ene‐lactams.

Chalcone Derivatives Enhance ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters A1 in Human THP-1 Macrophages

Atherosclerosis is a process of imbalanced lipid metabolism in the vascular walls. The underlying pathology mainly involves the deposition of oxidized lipids in the endothelium and the accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages. Macrophages export excessive cholesterol (cholesterol efflux) through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) to counter the progression of atherosclerosis. We synthesized novel chalcone derivatives and assessed their effects and the underlying mechanisms on ABCA1 expression in macrophages. Human THP-1 macrophages were treated with synthetic chalcone derivatives for 24 h. In Western blot and flow cytometry analyses, a chalcone derivative, (E)-1-(3,4-diisopropoxyphenyl)-3-(4-isopropoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop- 2-en-1-one (1m), was observed to significantly enhance ABCA1 protein expression in THP-1 cells (10 µM, 24 h). Levels of mRNA of ABCA1 and liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) were quantified using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique and were found to be significantly increased after treatment with the novel chalcone derivative 1m. Several microRNAs, including miR155, miR758, miR10b, miR145, miR33, and miR106b, which functionally inhibit ABCA1 expression were suppressed after treatment with 1m. Collectively, 1m increases ABCA1 expression in human THP-1 macrophages. The mechanisms involve the activation of the LXRα-ABCA1 pathway and suppression of certain microRNAs that regulate ABCA1 expression.