Showing papers on "Indole alkaloid published in 2013"

Antimicrobial and selected in vitro enzyme inhibitory effects of leaf extracts, flavonols and indole alkaloids isolated from Croton menyharthii.

Abstract: Croton species are used in folk medicine in the management of infections, inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases. In order to isolate, characterize and evaluate the bioactive constituents of Croton menyharthii Pax leaf extracts, repeated column fractionation of the ethyl acetate fraction from a 20% aqueous methanol crude extract afforded three flavonols identified by NMR (1D and 2D) spectroscopic methods as myricetrin-3-O-rhamnoside (myricetrin, 1), quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (2) and quercetin (3) along with an indole alkaloid, (E)-N-(4-hydroxycinnamoyl)-5-hydroxytryptamine, [trans-N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin, 4]. All the compounds are reported from the leaf extract of this plant for the first time. The crude extracts, four solvent fractions (hexane, DCM, ethyl acetate and butanol) and isolated compounds obtained from the leaves were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on selected bacteria, a fungus (Candida albicans), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Amongst the compounds, quercetin (3) was the most active against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans while myricetrin-3-O-rhamnoside (1) and trans-N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin (4) were the most active compounds against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibitory activity of myricetrin-3-O-rhamnoside (1) against COX-2 was insignificant while that of the other three compounds 2-4 was low. The AChE inhibitory activity of the alkaloid, trans-N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin was high, with a percentage inhibitory activity of 72.6% and an IC50 value of 15.0 µg/mL. The rest of the compounds only had moderate activity. Croton menyharthii leaf extracts and isolated compounds inhibit α-glucosidase at very low IC50 values compared to the synthetic drug acarbose. Structure activity relationship of the isolated flavonols 1-3 is briefly outlined. Compounds 1-4 and the leaf extracts exhibited a broad spectrum of activities. This validates the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in folk medicine.

Vasorelaxant activity of indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana dichotoma

Abstract: The aim of this study was to search for bioactive natural products from medicinal plants targeting vasorelaxant activity and we found the methanol extract from bark of Tabernaemontana dichotoma showed vasorelaxant activity on rat aorta. We isolated eight indole alkaloids including 10-methoxyalstonerine (1), a new macroline type indole alkaloid, from bark of T. dichotoma. These were respectively identified as 10-methoxyaffinisine (2), lochnerine (3), cathafoline (4), (−)-alstonerine (5), 19,20-dehydro-10-methoxytalcarpine (6), alstonisine (7), and alstonal (8) based on spectroscopic analysis. Among them, sarpagine type (2 and 3), akuammiline type (4), and macroline oxindole type (7 and 8) showed potent vasorelaxant activity. Mechanism of action on vasorelaxant activity of 10-methoxyaffinisine (2), cathafoline (4), and alstonisine (7) was clarified. Effects of 10-methoxyaffinisine (2), cathafoline (4), and alstonisine (7) were partially mediated the NO release from endothelial cells. Furthermore, 10-methoxyaffinisine (2) and alstonisine (7) attribute to the inhibitory effect of VDC and ROC, and cathafoline (4) have inhibitory effect on Ca2+ influx via ROC. In addition, 10-methoxyaffinisine (2) as a major compound from bark of T. dichotoma showed hypotensive effect on normotensive rats in vivo.

Perspectives of the metabolic engineering of terpenoid indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus hairy roots.

Abstract: This review looks back on how the terpenoid indole alkaloid pathway and the regulatory factors in Catharanthus roseus were identified and characterized, and how metabolic engineering, including genetic engineering and metabolic profiling, was conducted based on the gained knowledge. In addition, further examination of the terpenoid indole alkaloid pathway is proposed.

Chemical composition of Aspidosperma ulei Markgr. and antiplasmodial activity of selected indole alkaloids.

Abstract: A new indole alkaloid, 12-hydroxy-N-acetyl-21(N)-dehydroplumeran-18-oic acid (13), and 11 known indole alkaloids: 3,4,5,6-tetradehydro-β-yohimbine (3), 19(E)-hunteracine (4), β-yohimbine (5), yohimbine (6), 19,20-dehydro-17-α-yohimbine (7), uleine (10), 20-epi-dasycarpidone (11), olivacine (8), 20-epi-N-nor-dasycarpidone (14), N-demethyluleine (15) and 20(E)-nor-subincanadine E (12) and a boonein δ-lactone 9, ursolic acid (1) and 1D,1O-methyl-chiro-inositol (2) were isolated from the EtOH extracts of different parts of Aspidosperma ulei Markgr. (Apocynaceae). Identification and structural elucidation were based on IR, MS, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectral data and comparison to literature data. The antiplasmodial and antimalarial activity of 1, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 15 has been previously evaluated and 1 and 10 have important in vitro and in vivo antimalarial properties according to patent and/or scientific literature. With the aim of discovering new antiplasmodial indole alkaloids, 3, 4, 11, 12 and 13 were evaluated for in vitro inhibition against the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. IC₅₀ values of 14.0 (39.9), 4.5 (16.7) and 14.5 (54.3) mg/mL (mM) were determined for 3, 11 and 12, respectively. Inhibitory activity of 3, 4, 11, 12 and 13 was evaluated against NIH3T3 murine fibroblasts. None of these compounds exhibited toxicity to fibroblasts (IC₅₀ > 50 mg/mL). Of the five compounds screened for in vitro antiplasmodial activity, only 11 was active.

Stereospecific Approach to the Synthesis of Ring-A Oxygenated Sarpagine Indole Alkaloids. Total Synthesis of the Dimeric Indole Alkaloid P-(+)-Dispegatrine and Six Other Monomeric Indole Alkaloids

Abstract: The first regio- and stereocontrolled total synthesis of the bisphenolic, bisquaternary alkaloid (+)-dispegatrine (1) has been accomplished in an overall yield of 8.3% (12 reaction vessels) from 5-methoxy-d-tryptophan ethyl ester (17). A crucial late-stage thallium(III) mediated intermolecular oxidative dehydrodimerization was employed in the formation of the C9–C9′ biaryl axis in 1. The complete stereocontrol observed in this key biaryl coupling step is due to the asymmetric induction by the natural sarpagine configuration of the monomer lochnerine (6) and was confirmed by both the Suzuki and the oxidative dehydrodimerization model studies on the tetrahydro β-carboline (35). The axial chirality of the lochnerine dimer (40) and in turn dispegatrine (1) was established by X-ray crystallography and was determined to be P(S). Additionally, the first total synthesis of the monomeric indole alkaloids (+)-spegatrine (2), (+)-10-methoxyvellosimine (5), (+)-lochnerine (6), lochvinerine (7), (+)-sarpagine (8), and...

Antifouling Indole Alkaloids from Two Marine Derived Fungi

Abstract: In order to find non-toxic antifouling natural products from marine microorganisms, the chemical constituents of two marine derived fungi Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sydowii have been investigated under bio-guided fractionation. A new indolyl diketopiperazine compound, penilloid A (1), together with 15 known ones were isolated from these two strains. The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of NMR and mass spectra. Some alkaloids showed significant antifouling and antibacterial activities. The results indicate that indole alkaloids could be a potential antifouling agent resource.

Overexpression of a Catharanthus tryptophan decarboxylase (tdc) gene leads to enhanced terpenoid indole alkaloid (TIA) production in transgenic hairy root lines of Rauwolfia serpentina

Abstract: To enhance the production of terpenoid indole alkaloids in Rauwolfia serpentina, Catharanthus tryptophan decarboxylase (Crtdc) gene was over-expressed in transgenic hairy root cultures using Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation. Among six transgenic hairy root lines, line RT4 accumulated the highest alkaloid content, with 0.1202 % dry weight (DW) reserpine and 0.0064 % DW ajmalicine, after 10 weeks of culture. Whereas, wild-type roots accumulated 0.0596 ± 0.003 % DW reserpine and 0.0011 ± 0.001 % DW ajmalicine. Transgenic hairy root line RT7 produced the lowest alkaloid content (reserpine: 0.0896 ± 0.002 % DW; ajmalicine: 0.002 ± 0.0 % DW). On the basis of alkaloid content the six hairy root lines were grouped as RT4/RT2 > RT3/RT5 > RT7/RT8. Analysis of gene expression profile indicated that Crtdc was expressed at a higher level in transgenic lines, which could be correlated with enhanced metabolite accumulation in roots. This study confirms that over-expression of Crtdc is a superlative method to improve the biosynthetic potential of Rauwolfia hairy root cultures. Enhanced reserpine and ajmalicine production can serve as an alternative choice to provide resources for relative pharmaceutical industries.

Rearrangements in the mechanisms of the indole alkaloid prenyltransferases

Abstract: The indole prenyltransferases are a family of metal-independent enzymes that cat- alyze the transfer of a prenyl group from dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) onto the indole ring of a tryptophan residue. These enzymes are remarkable in their ability to direct the prenyl group in either a "normal" or "reverse" fashion to positions with markedly differ- ent nucleophilicity. The enzyme 4-dimethylallyltryptophan synthase (4-DMATS) prenylates the non-nucleo philic C-4 position of the indole ring in free tryptophan. Evidence is presented in support of a mechanism that involves initial ion pair formation followed by a reverse prenylation at the nucleophilic C-3 position. A Cope rearrangement then generates the C-4 normal prenylated intermediate and deprotonation rearomatizes the indole ring. The enzyme tryprostatin B synthase (FtmPT1) catalyzes the normal C-2 prenylation of the indole ring in brevianamide F (cyclo-L-Trp-L-Pro). It shares high structural homology with 4-DMATS, and evidence is presented in favor of an initial C-3 prenylation (either normal or reverse) followed by carbo cation rearrangements to give product. The concept of a common intermediate that partitions to different products via rearrangements can help to explain how these evolution- arily related enzymes can prenylate different positions on the indole ring.

Structure and Dynamic of Three Indole Alkaloids from the Campylospermum Genus (Ochnaceae)

Abstract: A new indole alkaloid, calanthumindole (4), and three known biflavonoids, amentoflavone, sequoiaflavone, and podoscarpusflavone B, were isolated from Campylospermum calanthum (Ochnaceae). Calanthumindole is a new indole alkaloid of the serotobenine family characterized by the presence of a C[DOUBLE BOND]C bond between atoms C(7′) and C(8′) of the furan ring. This is the first compound to have a fully unsaturated furan ring among the members of this family. The combination of NMR and DFT allowed the determination and comparison of the 3D structures and relevant conformational characteristics of serotobenine (1), flavumindole (2), and calanthumindole (4).

A New Glycine Derivative and a New Indole Alkaloid from the Fermentation Broth of the Plant Endophytic Fungus Pestalotiopsis podocarpi Isolated from the Chinese Podocarpaceae Plant Podocarpus macrophyllus

Abstract: A new glycine derivative, podocarpiamide (1), a new indole alkaloid, 1-methoxy-1H-indol-3-ethanol (2), together with two known compounds, 1-methoxy-1H-indole-3-acetic acid (3) and methyl 1-methoxy-1H-indole-3-acetate (4), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis podocarpi. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and COSY) and MS experiments. Compound 1 has an interesting unusual carbamic acid structure.

Indole alkaloids from the marine bacterium Pantoea agglomerans

Abstract: Five indole alkaloids and two phenylethylamine derivatives were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth of the marine bacterium Pantoea agglomerans P20-14. Their structures were identified as N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetamide (1), 3-(p-hydroxy)benzoyl indole (2), 1,2-di(1H-indol-3-yl)ethane (3), 1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid (4), 2-hydroxy-1-(1H-indol-3-y1)ethanone (5), N-acetyltyramine (6), and 2-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-N-phenylacetamide (7). Compound 1 is a new indole alkaloid and compounds 2 and 3 are new natural products.The structures of the seven compounds were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods. The spectroscopic data of compound 2 is provided for the first time.

Indole alkaloid adduct, and preparation method and application thereof in preparing anti-tumor drug

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of anti-tumor drugs, and specifically discloses an indole alkaloid adduct, and a preparation method and an application thereof in preparing an anti-tumor drug. The indole alkaloid adduct has a structure shown as a formula I, wherein R is formed in the way that an indole alkaloid is subjected to hydrazinolysis and the hydrazinolysis product is bonded with hydrazine group. The indole alkaloid adduct can significantly reduce toxicity to normal cells and in-vivo toxicity and inhibit in-vitro proliferation of various tumor cell lines and the growth of tumor in the nude mouse bearing the tumor.

Localization of monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (MIA) biosynthesis by in situ hybridization (ISH)

Abstract: Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIA) are among the largest and most complex group of nitrogen containing secondary metabolites that are characteristic of the Apocynaceae plant family including the most notable Catharanthus roseus. These compounds have demonstrated activity as successful drugs for treating various cancers, neurological disorders and cardiovascular conditions. Due to the low yields of these compounds and high pharmacological value, their biosynthesis is a major topic of study. Previous work highlighting the leaf epidermis and leaf surface as a highly active area in MIA biosynthesis and MIA accumulation has made the epidermis a major focus of this thesis. This thesis provides an in-depth analysis of the valuable technique of RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and demonstrates the application of the technique to analyze the location of the biosynthetic steps involved in the production of MIAs. The work presented in this thesis demonstrates that most of the MIAs of Eurasian Vinca minor, African Tabernaemontana e/egans and five Amsonia species, including North American Amsonia hubrichitii and Mediterranean A. orienta/is, accumulate in leaf wax exudates, while the rest of the leaf is almost devoid of alkaloids. Biochemical studies on Vinca minor displayed high tryptophan decarboxylase (TOe) enzyme activity and protein expression in the leaf epidermis compared to whole leaves. ISH studies aimed at localizing TOe and strictosidine synthase suggest the upper and lower epidermis of V. minor and T. e/egans as probable significant production sites for MIAs that will accumulate on the leaf surface, however the results don't eliminate the possibility of the involvement of other cell types. The monoterpenoid precursor to all MIAs, secologanin, is produced through the MEP pathway occurring in two cell types, the IPAP cells (Gl0H) and epidermal cells (LAMT and SLS). The work presented in this thesis, localizes a novel enzymatic step, UDPG-7-deoxyloganetic acid glucosyltransferase (UGT8) to the IPAP cells of Catharanthus longifolius. These results enable the suggestion that all steps from Gl0H up to and including UGT8 occur in the IPAP cells of the leaf, making the IPAP cells the main site for the majority of secologanin biosynthesis. It also makes the IPAP cells a likely cell type to begin searching for the gene of the uncharacterized steps between Gl0H and UGT8. It also narrows the compound to be transported from the IPAP cells to either 7-deoxyloganic acid or loganic acid, which aids in the identification of the transportation mechanism.

Camptothecin Production and Biosynthesis in Plant Cell Cultures

Abstract: Camptothecin, a well-known monoterpenoid indole alkaloid originally identified in the extracts of the Chinese tree Camptotheca acuminata (Nyssaceae), exhibits antitumor activity due to its ability to kill cancer cells via topoisomerase I poisoning. Other plant species have since been shown to produce camptothecin and related compounds. In particular, Ophiorrhiza species (Rubiaceae) are important resources for the production of various alkaloids, including camptothecin. This chapter describes the production of camptothecin-related alkaloids and the elucidation of the mechanisms of camptothecin biosynthesis using plant cell and tissue cultures. In particular, aseptically grown plants, callus cultures, and hairy root cultures were established for several species, O. liukiuensis, O. kuroiwai, and O. pumila, which were then evaluated for production of camptothecin and related alkaloids. The metabolite profiles differed between the species, and between tissues of the same species; for example, profiles from hairy roots were not identical to those of aseptic plants. The complementary DNAs (cDNAs) for strictosidine synthase, tryptophan decarboxylase, and cytochrome P450 reductase were cloned from O. pumila and evaluated for involvement in production of camptothecin in this species. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of gene expression indicated that the production of camptothecin, strictosidine, and camptothecin-related alkaloids was suppressed in a TDC expression-dependent manner in RNAi hairy roots.

Functional Characterization of Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid (MIA) Biosynthetic Genes in Catharanthus roseus

Abstract: The monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) are known to be among the most important source of natural drugs used in various cancer chemotherapies. MIAs are derived by combining the iridoid secologanin with tryptamine to form the central precursor strictosidine that is then converted to most known MIAs, such as catharanthine and vindoline that dimerize to form anticancer vinblastine and vincristine. While their assembly is still poorly understood, the complex multistep pathways involved occur in several specialized cell types within leaves that are regulated by developmental and environmental cues. The organization of MIA pathways is also coupled to secretory mechanisms that allow the accumulation of catharanthine in the waxy leaf surface, separated from vindoline found within leaf cells. While the spatial separation of catharanthine and vindoline provides an explanation for the low levels of dimeric MIAs found in the plants, the secretion of catharanthine to the leaf surface is shown to be part of plant defense mechanisms against fungal infection and insect herbivores. The transcriptomic databases of Catharanthus roseus and various MIA producing plants are facilitating bioinformatic approaches to identify novel MIA biosynthetic genes. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is being used to screen these candidate genes for their involvement in iridoid biosynthesis pathway, especially in the identification of 7-deoxyloganic acid 7-hydroxylase (CrDL7H) shown by the accumulation of its substrate, 7-deoxyloganic acid and decreased level of secologanin along with catharanthine and vindoline. VIGS can also confirm the biochemical function of genes being identified, such as in the glucosylation of 7-deoxyloganetic acid by CrUGT8 shown by decreased level of secologanin and MIAs within silenced plants. Silencing of other iridoid biosynthetic genes, loganic acid O-methyltransferase (LAMT) and secologanin synthase (SLS) also confirm the metabolic route for iridoid biosynthesis in planta through 7-deoxyloganic acid, loganic acid, and loganin intermediates. This route is validated by high substrate specificity of CrUGT8 for 7-deoxyloganetic acid and CrDL7H for 7-deoxyloganic acid. Further localization studies of CrUGT8 and CrDL7H also show that these genes are preferentially expressed within Catharanthus leaves rather than in epidermal cells where the last two steps of secologanin biosynthesis occur.

Naucleactonin D, an Indole Alkaloid and other Chemical Constituents from Roots and Fruits of Mitragyna inermis.

Abstract: [isolation and structure elucidation of the new alkaloid naucleactonin D (I) as well as biochemical investigations]