三种萝藦科植物中C21甾类成分的研究

　　本实验对三种萝藦科植物通光散(Marsdenia tenacissima)、黑水藤（Biondia insignis Tsiang）和徐长卿（Cynanchum Paniculatum）中的C21甾体化合物进行了研究。从通光散藤茎乙酸乙酯提取物的水解产物中，分离得到两类八个C21甾类甙元。经光谱鉴定，它们的结构分别为11α-O-(2-甲基)-丁酰基-12β-O-顺芷酰通光藤甙元乙（1），11α-O-乙酰基-12β-O-乙酰基通光藤甙元乙（2），11α-O-（2-甲基）-丁酰基-12β-O-乙酰基通光藤甙元乙(3), 11α-O-苯甲酰基-12β-O-乙酰基通光藤甙元乙(4)， 11α-O-顺芷酰基-12β-O-乙酰基通光藤甙元乙（5）11α-O-顺芷酰基-12β-O-顺芷酰基通光藤甙元乙（6），12β-O-乙酰基通光藤甙元甲（7）和12β-O-顺芷酰基通光藤甙元甲（8）。其中，化合物2和8为新化合物。从黑水藤乙醇提取物的水解产物中，分离得到了两个C21甾体化合物。经1D、2D NMR技术鉴定，分别为（3β，14β，15β，17β）-3, 14-二羟基-15，16-裂-孕甾-5-烯-15-醛-16-半缩醛-20-酮（1）和白前甙元C（2）。其中1为15，16-裂环的新骨架类型的C21甾体化合物，命名为黑水藤甙元甲。从采购于昆明、浙江、湖南三地药材市场的徐长卿的根及根茎中，分离得到了18个化合物（其中昆明徐长卿6个，浙江徐长卿9个，湖南徐长卿3个）。经光谱数据分析，这些化合物被鉴定为：cynapanoside-C (1), cynapanoside-A (2), 白前甙元B 3-O-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙(3)，白前甙元C 3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-α-L-2-脱氧洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-夹竹吡喃糖甙（4），白前甙元C3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-α-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖甙（5），白前甙元C 3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-α-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖甙（6），cynatratoside-B (7)，cynatratoside-C (8);glaucoside A(9)，新白薇甙元B 3-O-β-L-磁嘛吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-洋黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖甙（10），白前甙元 A 3-O-α-L-磁嘛吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙（11），白前甙元 B 3-O-α-L-磁糖基吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙(12)，白前甙元D 3-O-α-L-磁嘛吡喃糖基（1 → 4）-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙（13），白前甙元 C 3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-α-L-2-脱氧洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖甙（14），白前甙元 C 3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-α-L-磁嘛吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖甙（15），白前甙元 B 3-O-α-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-（1 → 4）-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙（16），白前甙元 D 3-O-α-D-夹竹桃吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙(17)，白前甙元月B 3-O-α-L-磁嘛吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-洋地黄吡喃糖基-(1 → 4)-β-D-磁嘛吡喃糖甙（18）。其中，化合物3-6，10-18为新化合物，10的甙元为一个新甙元，命名为新白薇甙无B。

Synthesis, Reactivity and Biological Activity of 17β-HSD1 Inhibitors Based on a Thieno[2,3-d]pryrimidin-4(3H)-one Core

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Western countries. In the early stages of development most breast cancers are hormone-dependent, and estrogens, especially estradiol, have a pivotal role in their development and progression. One approach to the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancers is to block the formation of the active estrogens by inhibiting the action of the steroid metabolising enzymes. 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta-HSD1) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of estradiol, the most potent female sex hormone. The 17beta-HSD1 enzyme catalyses the final step and converts estrone into the biologically active estradiol. Blocking 17beta-HSD1 activity with a specific enzyme inhibitor could provide a means to reduce circulating and tumour estradiol levels and thus promote tumour regression. In recent years 17beta-HSD1 has been recognised as an important drug target. Some inhibitors of 17beta-HSD1 have been reported, however, there are no inhibitors on the market nor have clinical trials been announced. The majority of known 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors are based on steroidal structures, while relatively little has been reported on non-steroidal inhibitors. As compared with 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors based on steroidal structures, non-steroidal compounds could have advantages of synthetic accessibility, drug-likeness, selectivity and non-estrogenicity. This study describes the synthesis of large group of novel 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors based on a non-steroidal thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one core. An efficient synthesis route was developed for the lead compound and subsequently employed in the synthesis of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one based molecule library. The biological activities and binding of these inhibitors to 17beta-HSD1 and, finally, the quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model are also reported. In this study, several potent and selective 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors without estrogenic activity were identified. This establishment of a novel class of inhibitors is a progressive achievement in 17beta-HSD1 inhibitor development. Furthermore, the 3D-QSAR model, constructed on the basis of this study, offers a powerful tool for future 17beta-HSD1 inhibitor development. As part of the fundamental science underpinning this research, the chemical reactivity of fused (di)cycloalkeno thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones with electrophilic reagents, i.e. Vilsmeier reagent and dimethylformamide dimethylacetal, was investigated. These findings resulted in a revision of the reaction mechanism of Vilsmeier haloformylation and further contributed to understanding the chemical reactivity of this compound class. This study revealed that the reactivity is dependent upon a stereoelectronic effect arising from different ring conformations.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of lanostane and cholestane-type natural products

The main objective of this thesis is to outline the synthetic chemistry involved in the preparation of a range of novel lanostane and cholestane derivatives, and subsequent investigation into their biological activity in cancer cells. The biological results obtained throughout the project have driven the strategic synthesis of new compounds, in an effort to optimise the anti cancer potential of lanostane and cholestane derivatives. The first chapter begins with an overview of steroidal compounds and details a literature review of the natural sources of these moieties, as well as their biosynthesis and reported synthetic derivatives. The biological activity of interesting natural and synthetic analogues is also discussed. In addition, an insight into some currently prescribed pharmaceutical compounds, with functional groups relevant to this project, is presented. The second chapter discusses the methods employed for the synthesis of these novel lanostane and cholestane derivatives, and comprises three main sections. Firstly, various oxidation products of lanosterol are synthesised, mainly via epoxidations of the C-8,9 and C- 24,25 alkenes, and also allylic oxidations at these positions. Secondly, amine derivatives of lanosterol are formed by cleaving the lanostane side chain, thereby yielding a new cholestane nucleus, and performing several reductive aminations on the resulting key aldehyde intermediates. Various amines such as piperidine, morpholine, diethylamine and aniline are employed in the reductive amination reactions to yield novel cholestane steroids with amine side chains. Finally, starting from stigmasterol and proceeding with the same methodology of cleaving the steroidal side chain and subsequently performing reductive aminations, novel cholestane derivatives of the biologically active amines are synthesised. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against CaCo-2 and U937 cell lines is presented in terms of percentage viability of cells, IC50 value and apoptosis. The MTT assay is used to determine the percentage viability of cells, and the IC50 data is generated from the MTT results. Apoptosis is measured in terms of fold increase relative to a carrier control. In summary, the compounds formed are discussed in terms of chemical synthesis, spectroscopic interpretation and biological activity. The main reaction pathways involved in the chemistry within this project are various oxidations and reductive amination. The final chapter is a detailed account of the full experimental procedures for the compounds synthesised during this work, including characterisation using spectroscopic and analytical data.

Genotoxic assessment of Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae) extract in vivo and its potential chemoprevention against cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Antagonistic and synergistic effects of glucocorticoids and IL-7 on CD4+ T cell activation

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroidal compounds widely used to treat chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. In particular, GCs at pharmacological doses induce apoptosis of activated and naïve T cells, inhibit their proliferation and block pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. At physiological concentrations, the effect of these steroids on T cell immunity are not yet fully understood, and various studies reported paradoxical roles exerted by GCs on T cell immunity. Here, we show that GCs surprisingly induce proliferation of activated CD4(+) T cells in the presence of IL-7, a cytokine secreted in the thymus and at mucosal sites. Increased proliferation is dependent on a GC-mediated survival of mitotic cells. Moreover, we observe a downmodulation of Th1 cytokine secretion in cells treated with GCs, an outcome which is not affected by the presence of IL-7. GCs exert thus a positive role in the presence of IL-7 by enhancing proliferation of CD4(+) T cells and simultaneously a negative role by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Chemistry and Analysis of Phytocannabinoids and Other Cannabis Constituents

The Cannabis plant and its products consist of an enormous variety of chemicals. Some of the 483 compounds identified are unique to Cannabis, for example, the more than 60 cannabinoids, whereas the terpenes, with about 140 members forming the most abundant class, are widespread in the plant kingdom. The term “cannabinoids” [note: “ ” represents a group of C21 terpenophenolic compounds found until now uniquely in Cannabis sativa L. (1). As a consequence of the development of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., nabilone [2], HU-211 [dexanabinol; ref. (3), or ajulemic acid [CT-3; ref. 4]) and the discovery of the chemically different endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligands (“endocannabinoids,” e.g., anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol) (5,6), the term ’“phytocannabinoids’” was proposed for these particular Cannabis constituents (7).

Reactions of steroidal epoxides with strong organic bases and an investigation into the syntheses of some labelled pregnane derivatives

Reactions of 5,6- and 4,5-epoxycholestane derivatives with strong bases were investigated. Epoxidation of 3a-acetoxycholest-5-ene also gave a new compound along with the anticipated epoxides. Interconversions of the latter were observed. Some possible mechanisms of its formation and rearrangements have been pIioposed. No reaction was observed with any of the 5,6- and 4,5-steroidal epoxides employed in the present study, using potassium tertiary butoxide under refluxing conditions. n-Butyllithium reacted only with 5,6-epoxycholestanes bearing a ketal moiety at the C3 carbon. Opening of the ketal group was observed with n-butyllithium in the case of a ~-epoxide. The reaction was also investigated in the absence of epoxide functionality. A possible mechanism for the opening of ketal group has been proposed. Lithium diethylamide (LDEA) was found effective in rearranging 5,6- and 4,5-epoxides to their ~orresponding allylic alcohols. These rearrangements presumably proceed via syn-eliminations, however the possibility of a corresponding anti-elimination has not been eliminated. A substituent effect of various functional groups (R = H, OH, OCH2CH20) at C3 has-been observed on product distribution in the LDEApromoted rearrangements of the corresponding epoxides. No reaction of these epoxides was observed with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) • In the second part of the project, several attempts were made towards the sYRthesis of deoxycorticoste~one~17,2l,2l~d3' a compound desirable for the 2l-dehydroxylation studies of deoxycorticosterone. Several routes were investigated, and some deuterium labelled pregnane derivatives were prepared in this regard. Microbial 21-hydroxylation of progesteronel7,21,21,2l- d4 by ~ niger led to loss of deuterium from C21 of the product. An effort was made to hydroxylate progesterone microbially under neutral condtions.

Diruthenium(II, III) complexes of ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and indomethacin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Synthesis, characterization and their effects on tumor-cell proliferation

[Ru-2(dNSAID)(4)Cl] and novel [Ru-2(dNSAID)(4)(H2O)(2)]PF6 complexes, where dNSAID = deprotonated carboxylate from the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIDs), respectively: ibuprofen, Hibp (1) and aspirin, Hasp (2); naproxen, Hnpx (3) and indomethacin, Hind (4), have been prepared and characterized by optical spectroscopic methods. All of the compounds exhibit mixed valent Ru-2(II, III) cores where metal-metal bonds are stabilized by four drug-carboxylate bridging ligands in paddlewheel type structures. The diruthenium complexes and their parent NSAIDs showed no significant effects for Hep2 human larynx or T24/83 human bladder tumor. In contrast, the coordination of Ru-2(II,III) core led to synergistic effects that increased significantly the inhibition of C6 rat glioma proliferation in relation to the organic NSAIDs naproxen and ibuprofen, The possibility that the complexes Ru-2-ibp and Ru-2-npx may exert effects (anti-angiogenic and anti-matrix metalloprotease) that are similar to those exhibited by NAMI-A opens new horizons for in vivo C6 glioma model studies. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A comparative assessment of a-lipoic acid N-phenylamides as non-steroidal androgen receptor antagonists both on and off gold nanoparticles

A group of α-lipoic acid N-phenylamides were synthesized employing a variety of amide coupling protocols utilizing electron deficient anilines. These compounds were then assessed for their ability to block androgen-stimulated proliferation of a human prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP. These structurally simple compounds displayed anti-proliferative activities at, typically, 5–20 μM concentrations and were comparable to a commonly used anti-androgen Bicalutamide®. The inclusion of a disulfide (RS-SR) moiety, serving as an anchor to several metal nanoparticle systems (Au, Ag, Fe₂O₃, etc.), does not impede any biological activity. Conjugation of these compounds to a gold nanoparticle surface resulted in a high degree of cellular toxicity, attributed to the absence of a biocompatible group such as PEG within the organic scaffold.

Antiophidic Solanidane Steroidal Alkaloids from Solanum campaniforme

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of Mouriri pusa extracts on experimentally induced gastric lesions in rodents: Role of endogenous sulfhydryls compounds and nitric oxide in gastroprotection

Several plants are used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Mouriri pusa Gardn. (Melastomataceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in the central region of Brazil against gastric ulcer. Two organic extracts methanolic (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) obtained by sequential extraction from the leaves of Mouriri pusa were evaluated for their ability to protect the gastric mucosa against injuries caused by necrotizing agents (0.3 M HCl/60% EtOH, absolute ethanol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, stress and pylorus ligature) in mice and rats. The best results were obtained after pretreatment with MeOH extract whereas the DCM extract did not show the same significant antiulcerogenic activity. No acute toxicity was observed in animals treated with 5 g/kg, p.o. of MeOH extract. The mechanism involving the antiulcerogenic action of MeOH extract seemed to be related to NO generation and also suggested the effective participation of endogenous sulfhydryl group in the gastroprotective action. Phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of Mouriri pusa yielded tannins, flavonoids and (-)-epicatechin. The presence of these phenolic compounds probably would explain the antiulcerogenic effect of the polar extract of Mouriri pusa leaves. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Activities of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Containing an N-Acyl Hydrazone Subunit

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New steroidal saponins and antiulcer activity from Solanum paniculatum L.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytotoxic steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Tacca integrifolia

Three new steroid saponins (3beta,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl 6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (3beta,22R,25R)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl 6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (3beta,22R,25R)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl 6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), as well as the new pregnane glycoside (3beta,16beta)-3-{[6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy}-20-oxopregn-5-en-16-yl (4R)-5-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-4-methylpentanoate (6), were isolated from the rhizomes of Tacca integrifolia together with two known (25R) configurated steroid saponins (3beta,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl 6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and (3beta,22R,25R)-26-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-methoxyfurost-5-en-3-yl 6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4). The cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated in HeLa cells and showed the highest cytotoxicity value for compound 2 with an IC(50) of 1.2+/-0.4 muM. Intriguingly, while compounds 1-5 exhibited similar cytotoxic properties between 1.2+/-0.4 (2) and 4.0+/-0.6 muM (5), only compound 2 showed a significant microtubule-stabilizing activity in vitro.