Denis Seraphin

Cytotoxic coumarins from Calophyllum dispar

Six coumarins have been isolated from the fruits and the stem bark of Calophyllum dispar (Clusiaceae). The structures of these minor components were established by means of spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 2D NMR studies. Some of these coumarins exhibited a significant cytotoxic activity against KB cells.

Tuning a 96-Well Microtiter Plate Fluorescence-Based Assay to Identify AGE Inhibitors in Crude Plant Extracts

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Among them, cellular accumulation of AGEs contributes to vascular complications in diabetes. Besides using drugs to lower blood sugar, a balanced diet and the intake of herbal products potentially limiting AGE formation could be considered beneficial for patients’ health. The current paper presents a simple and cheap high-throughput screening (HTS) assay based on AGE fluorescence and suitable for plant extract screening. We have already implemented an HTS assay based on vesperlysines-like fluorescing AGEs quickly (24 h) formed from BSA and ribose under physiological conditions. However, interference was noted when fluorescent compounds and/or complex mixtures were tested. To overcome these problems and apply this HTS assay to plant extracts, we developed a technique for systematic quantification of both vesperlysines (λexc 370 nm; λem 440 nm) and pentosidine-like (λexc 335 nm; λem 385 nm) AGEs. In a batch of medicinal and food plant extracts, hits were selected as soon as fluorescence decreased under a fixed threshold for at least one wavelength. Hits revealed during this study appeared to contain well-known and powerful anti-AGE substances, thus demonstrating the suitability of this assay for screening crude extracts (0.1 mg/mL). Finally, quercetin was found to be a more powerful reference compound than aminoguanidine in such assay.

Front face fluorescence spectroscopy and visible spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics have the potential to characterise ripening of Cabernet Franc grapes

The potential of front-face spectroscopy for grape ripening dates discrimination was investigated on Cabernet Franc grapes from three parcels located on the Loire Valley and for six ripening dates. The 18 batches were analysed by front-face fluorescence spectroscopy and visible spectroscopy. The excitation spectra (250-310nm, emission wavelength=350nm) were characterised by a shoulder at 280nm. Grapes spectra were classified by factorial discriminant analysis (FDA). Ripening dates were well predicted by fluorescence spectra: grapes before veraison were separated from grapes after veraison and almost every ripening date was identified. The common spectroscopic space obtained by CCSWA showed that wavelengths corresponding to anthocyanin absorption in the visible were correlated to fluorescence wavelengths around the starting and ending points of the shoulder (263 and at 292nm). Then, regression models were investigated to predict total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity, malvidin-3G, total anthocyanins and total phenolics content from visible and fluorescence spectra. To predict technological indicators (TSS and total acidity), the PLS model with visible spectra (RMSECV=0.82 degrees Brix or 0.96gL(-1) H(2)SO(4)) was better than those with fluorescence one (RMSECV=1.39 degrees Brix or 2.06gL(-1) H(2)SO(4)). For malvidin-3G and total anthocyanins, all R(c)(2) and R(cv)(2) were superior to 0.90 and RMSECV were low. Visible and fluorescence spectroscopies succeeded in predicting anthocyanin content. Concerning total phenolic, the best prediction was provided by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Automating a 96-well microtiter plate assay for identification of AGEs inhibitors or inducers: application to the screening of a small natural compounds library

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous affections such as diabetes and neurological diseases. AGEs are also implied in various changes in tissues and organs. Therefore, compounds able to break them or inhibit their formation may be considered as potential drugs, dietary supplements, or bioactive additives. In this study, we have developed a rapid and reliable (Z′ factor calculation) anti-AGEs activity screening based on the overall fluorescence of AGEs. This method was successfully evaluated on known AGEs inhibitors and on a small library of natural compounds, yielding coherent results when compared with literature data.

First 2-Hydroxy-3-Methylbut-3-Enyl Substituted Xanthones Isolated From Plants: Structure Elucidation, Synthesis and Antifungal Activity

Two new 2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl substituted xanthones, ( - )-caledol 1 and ( - )-dicaledol 2 were isolated from a dichloromethane extract of the leaves of Calophyllum caledonicum (Clusiaceae). Compounds 1 and 2 are the first 2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl substituted xanthones isolated from natural source. Their structures were elucidated by means of combined analytical methods including HRFABMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies and also confirmed by total synthesis using biomimetic ortho -prenylphenols photooxygenation ( 1 O 2 ) as a key step. The antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus is reported.

Regioselectivity in the ene reaction of singlet oxygen with ortho-prenylphenol derivatives

The ene reaction of singlet oxygen with prenylated dihydroxyacetophenones led to the 2-hydroperoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl derivatives as the major product. This original regioselectivity outlined a new effect, in competition with the previously established large group non-bonding effect. The oxidation products distribution could be explained by a stabilising interaction between the phenolic hydrogen, ortho to the prenyl side chain, and the perepoxide intermediate.

Thirteen New Xanthone Derivatives from Calophyllum caledonicum (Clusiaceae)

An EtOAc extract of the stem bark of Calophyllum caledonicum (Clusiaceae) yielded thirteen new hydroxylated and/or prenylated xanthone derivatives, namely 5-hydroxy-8-methoxyxanthone (1), 3,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dimethoxyxanthone (2), 1,8-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyxanthone (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 6,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-xanthone (5), 2,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxyxanthone (6), 1,3,8-trihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyxanthone (7) and according to a previously adopted nomenclature [3], caledonixanthone G-L. (8-13). The structural elucidation of 1-13 were mainly established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS spectroscopic analysis.

ortho-Prenylphenol photooxygenation as a straightforward access to ortho-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)phenols

Abstract Photooxygenation (1O2) of ortho-prenylphenols followed by a reduction (PPh3) at low temperature (−30°C) yields a mixture of ortho-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)phenols and ortho-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-enyl)phenols. However, by running the two-step sequence at a higher temperature (15°C), the secondary allylic alcohol could be selectively recovered.

Semisynthetic and Natural Garcinoic Acid Isoforms as New mPGES-1 Inhibitors.

Over the last twenty years, tocotrienol analogues raised great interest because of their higher level and larger domain of biological activities when compared with tocopherols. Amongst the most promising therapeutic application, anti-inflammatory potency has been evaluated through the inhibition of various mediators of inflammation. Here, we worked on the isolation of two natural isoforms of garcinoic acid (i.e., δ and γ) from two different sources, respectively, Garcinia kola seeds and Garcinia amplexicaulis bark. We also developed semisynthetic strategies to access the other two non-natural α- and β-garcinoic acid isoforms. In the next stage of our work, microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase was defined as a target to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the four garcinoic acid isomers. Both dimethylated isoforms, β- and γ-garcinoic acid, exhibited the lowest IC50, 2.8 µM and 2.0 µM, respectively. These results showed that the affinity of tocotrienol analogues to microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 most probably contributes to the anti-inflammatory potential of this class of derivatives.

Synthesis of reduced xanthatin derivatives and in vitro evaluation of their antifungal activity

The synthesis of new xanthanolide derivatives is reported starting from xanthatin, a sesquiterpenic lactone isolated from Xanthium macrocarpum (Asteraceae). In vitro evaluation of their antifungal activity has been investigated.