V. Castro

Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation by structurally different sesquiterpene lactones correlates with their effect on activation of NF-κB

Many sesquiterpene lactones (Sls) are known to possess anti-inflammatory activities. To gain further insight into their structure-activity relationships and the molecular mechanism of action, four germacranolide sesquiterpene lactones which differ in the skeleton and the number of reactive centers (4beta,15-epoxy-miller-9E-enolide (1), 15-acetoxy-eremantholide B (2), a mixture of 15-(isovaleroyl)/15-(2-methyl-butyryl)-2alpha-acetoxy-miguanin (3), and 15-(2-hydroxy)-isobutyryloxy-micrantholide (4)) were investigated for their effect on production of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta], IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) as well as proliferation of concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse lymphocytes. Compounds 1 and 3 which possess an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone function and a conjugated carbonyl group induced a half-maximal inhibition of cytokine synthesis in adherent mouse peritoneal exudate cells at micromolar concentrations (IC(50) 0.69-1.70 microM), while compound 4 which contains only an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone residue was less active (IC(50) > or 38 microM). Interestingly, compound 2, which carries only a conjugated keto group, displayed a potency similar to those of the bifunctional compounds 1 and 3. All four Sls suppressed proliferation of murine lymphocyte at IC(50) concentrations between 0.22 and 5.03 microM. The rank order of potency was 1 = 2 > 3 > 4. Generally, the growth of LPS-stimulated cells was more strongly influenced than those of Con A-activated lymphocytes. This effect was particularly pronounced with 4. Inhibitory concentrations correlated well with those necessary for inhibition of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) observed in a previous investigation. Therefore, it can be assumed that NF-kappaB may be involved in the suppressive effect of Sls on cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation.

Further pyrrolizidine alkaloids and furoeremophilanes from Senecio species

Abstract The investigation of 17 Senecio species afforded in addition to 14 known pyrrolizidine alkaloids 20 new ones, including some compounds of a novel type with an additional lactone moiety. Furthermore seven known and 11 new furoeremophilanes, two known and a new eremophilone, a further shikimic acid derivative and an acetylenic compound, most likely formed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction were isolated. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially high field 1H and 13C NMR and NOE difference spectroscopy. The configuration of the seneremophilondiol esters has been corrected.

Cuauthemone derivatives from Tessaria integrifolia and Pluchea symphytifolia

Abstract The aerial parts of Tessaria integrifolia afforded in addition to known compounds nine further cuauthemone derivatives and those from Pluchea symphytifolia also a further sesquiterpene of this type. The structures of two pairs of similar compounds are revised from 11-hydroxy to 11-peroxy derivatives.

Sesquiterpene lactones from two Tithonia species

Abstract From two Tithonia species, in addition to known compounds, nine new sesquiterpene lactones were isolated: eight germacranolides and one eudesmanolide. The structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods.

The effect of sesquiterpene lactones on the release of human neutrophil elastase

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are natural products responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of a variety of medicinal plants, mainly from the Asteraceae family. Here, we investigated whether they also influence the process of exocytosis of pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as the human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Altogether, eight structurally different SLs from the eudesmanolide, guaianolide, pseudoguaianolide, and germacranolide type were studied. Neutrophils were isolated from fresh human blood. After pre-incubation with different concentrations of the respective SL and cytochalasin B, the exocytosis of elastase was initiated either by platelet activating factor or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Inhibition of HNE release was measured by p-nitroaniline formation. The SLs exhibited an inhibitory effect on elastase release from neutrophils challenged either by platelet activating factor or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Concentration-response curves were recorded and the IC(50) values ranged from 2 to 30 microM. Studies on isolated HNE showed that a selective direct inhibition on HNE can be excluded. Interestingly, the inhibitory activity did not correlate with the number of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl functions. The structure-activity relationship and the molecular mechanism are discussed.

Study of sesquiterpene lactones from Milleria quinqueflora on their anti-inflammatory activity using the transcription factor NF-κB as molecular target.

In Central America aerial parts of the Asteraceae Milleria quinqueflora are used in traditional medicine as a remedy for skin infections. Reinvestigation of this plant afforded thirteen sesquiterpene lactones (Sls), three of them are new. All isolated Sls were studied for their anti-inflammatory activity using the transcription factor NF-kappa B as molecular target. NF-kappa B is involved in the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines. NF-kappa B DNA binding was inhibited at micromolar concentrations by all Sls.

Poskeanolide, a seco-germacranolide and other sesquiterpene lactones from Vernonia species

Abstract The aerial parts of Vernonia cinerea , collected in Costa Rica, gave four new hirsutinolides while a sample from Malawi afforded glaucolide E and two related lactones. From V. poskeana a seco-germacranolide biogenetically closely related to a new glaucolide was isolated. The investigation of two Critoniopsis species gave in addition to known lactones a further glaucolide and a vernopatensolide. A related species, V. flexipappa , only gave glaucolide B. The structures were elucidated by highfield NMR spectroscopy.

Sesquiterpene lactones as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease that has been implicated in the abnormal turnover of connective tissue proteins and has been described as an important pathogenic factor in several inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or cystic fibrosis. Here we investigated 17 sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) for their ability to inhibit human neutrophil elastase in an in vitro assay. Podachaenin was the most active compound with an IC(50) value of 7 microM. SLs do not covalently bind to the amino acids of the catalytic triad, thus differing from other elastase inhibitors with a lactone moiety. In contrast to most other biological activities of SLs HNE inhibition is not mediated by alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl functions. Ligand binding calculations using the X-ray structure of HNE and the program FlexX revealed structural elements which are a prerequisite for their inhibitory activity.

Germacranolides and other constituents from Ageratina species

Abstract The aerial parts of Ageratina anisochroma gave several thymol derivatives including five new ones, a hydroxypiperitol glucoside, some substituted benzyl benzoates and several germacranolides related to provincialin. From A. ligustrina similar germacranolides, an oplopanone derivative and a further geranyl nerol derivatives were isolated. The structures were elucidated by high field NMR techniques.

Millerenolides, sesquiterpene lactones from Milleria quinqueflora

Abstract The aerial parts of Milleria quinqueflora afforded 17 new germacranolides (five melampolides and 12 millerenolides), two ent -pimarene and two ent -kaurene derivatives as well as two alicyclic diterpenes and a galactoside. The structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. The chemotaxonomic situation is discussed.