Sanit Thongnest

Anti-metastatic effects of aqueous extract of Helixanthera parasitica

Metastasis, the spread of cancer in body, is a major cause of death. We have screened anti-metastatic activity of aqueous and dichloromethane extracts of several not previously studied Thai herbs, using an in vitro invasion test. This involves the in vitro invasion of HCC-S102, a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line derived from a Thai patient, through a reconstituted-basement membrane (Matrigel). The aqueous extract of a plant (Helixanthera parasitica) revealed a significant inhibitory effect on the cancer cell invasion, and showed antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract was partially purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the highest anti-metastatic activity fraction showed 83% inhibition of invasion with low cytotoxic effect. However, anti-metastatic activity was not associated with the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract.

Roscotanes and roscoranes: Oxygenated abietane and pimarane diterpenoids from Kaempferia roscoeana

Eight previously undescribed ditepenoids, including four oxygenated abietanes (roscotanes A-D) and four oxygenated pimaranes (roscoranes A-D), along with twelve known diterpenoids were isolated from the whole plants of Kaempferia roscoeana. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the structure of roscotane A was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Most isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial and antimalarial activities.

Ailanthusins A-G and nor-lupane triterpenoids from Ailanthus triphysa

Bioactivity-guided chemical investigation of the CH2Cl2 and CH2Cl2MeOH extracts of the stem and stem bark material of Ailanthus tryphysa (Simaroubaceae) led to the isolation of five cycloapotirucallanes, ailanthusins A-E, two malabaricanes, ailanthusins F-G, and one nor-lupane triterpenoid, 29-nor-lup-1-ene-3,20-dione along with twenty known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through the application of extensive spectroscopic methods, and the structure of ailanthusin A was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Several malabaricane derivatives were prepared from malabaricol and, together with some of the isolates, were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human cancer and normal cell lines.

Superbanone, A New 2-Aryl-3-benzofuranone and Other Bioactive Constituents from the Tube Roots of Butea superba

Phytochemical investigation from the tube roots of Butea superba, led to the isolation and identification of a new 2‐aryl‐3‐benzofuranone named superbanone (1), one benzoin, 2‐hydroxy‐1‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethanone (2), eight pterocarpans (3 – 10), and eleven isoflavonoids (11 – 21). Compound 2 was identified for the first time as a natural product. The structure of the isolated compounds was elucidated using spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR. The isolated compounds and their derivatives were evaluated for α‐glucosidase inhibitory and antimalarial activities. Compounds 3, 7, 8, and 11 showed promising α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 13.71 ± 0.54, 23.54 ± 0.75, 28.83 ± 1.02, and 12.35 ± 0.36 μm, respectively). Compounds 3 and 11 were twofold less active than the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 6.54 ± 0.04 μm). None of the tested compounds was found to be active against Plasmodium falciparum strain 94. On the basis of biological activity results, structure–activity relationships are discussed.

Polyoxygenated ursane and oleanane triterpenes from Siphonodon celastrineus

Twenty polyoxygenated triterpenes, including nineteen ursanes and one oleanane, were characterized from the stem material of Siphonodon celastrineus (Celastraceae) through the application of spectroscopic techniques and chemical transformation. Three of the ursane-type triterpenoids possessed the rare 13,27-cyclopropane ring skeleton.

CCDC 1049903: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Sanit Thongnest, Jutatip Boonsombat, Hunsa Prawat, Chulabhorn Mahidol, Somsak Ruchirawat|2017|Phytochemistry|134|98|doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.11.007