•40 metabolites were isolated from a methanolic Juglans regia leave extract.•10 megastigmane and 6 tetralone derivatives were described for the first time.•Unknown compounds were named juglanionosides A-K and juglanosides J-O.•Characteristic key feature is acylation of the sugar with phenylpropanoid units.•Another 16 known compounds were reported for the first time in the genus Juglans.A methanolic extract of Juglans regia L. leaves was fractioned by various chromatographic techniques yielding a total of 40 metabolites belonging to megastigmane, tetralone, phenylpropanoid, neolignane and juglone glycosides. Ten unknown megastigmane glucoside derivatives (juglanionosides A-K, 1–10) and six unknown tetralone glucoside derivatives (juglanosides J-O, 11–16) together with 24 known compounds - among them 16 described for the first time in Juglans - were isolated. As characteristic structural feature, the previously undescribed compounds showed acylation of the sugar units with sinapic, ferulic, coumaric, benzoic or salicylic acid. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques, HRESIMS as well as CD spectroscopy. Absolute stereochemistry was revealed by mild alkaline hydrolysis and comparison of CD and polarimetric data to literature values.Ten previously undescribed megastigmane glucosides and six undescribed tetralone glucosides were isolated from a methanolic extract of Juglans regia leaves.Download high-res image (330KB)Download full-size image

A strategy for the synthesis of natural and non-natural 5-deoxy-6,7-dihydrocurcuminoids (diarylheptanoids) was developed for the preparation of 14 compounds with varying aromatic substituent patterns and a different functionality in the aliphatic seven-carbon chain. The in vitro protective activity against glutamate-induced neuronal cell death was examined in the murine hippocampal cell line HT-22 to find structural motifs responsible for neuroprotective effects in vitro. Among the tested compounds the ferulic acid-like unit, present in the structures of (E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hept-1-en-3-one (5) and (E)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hept-1-en-3-one (7), appeared to be an important feature for protection against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Both compounds demonstrated significant neuroprotective activity in a concentration range between 1 and 25 μM without showing toxic effects in a cytotoxicity assay with HT-22 cells. Furthermore, (E)-1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)hept-1-en-3-one (9), exhibiting a caffeic acid-like structural motif, displayed a neuroprotective activity at a nontoxic concentration of 25 μM. In contrast, (1E,6E)-1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione (4, di-O-demethylcurcumin) showed mainly cytotoxic effects. A corresponding single-ring analogue that contains the ferulic acid-like unit as an enone was not active.

•Mono- and bicyclic acylphloroglucinols with varying acyl-chains were synthesized.•Compound 7a showed anti-proliferative activity in HMEC-1 with an IC50 of 0.88 ± 0.08 μM.•Compound 7c showed high anti-oxidant activity in ORAC assay with 6.6 ± 1.0 TE.•Compound 4d inhibited capillary-like tube formation of HMEC-1 in vitro.Two series of natural and natural-like mono- and bicyclic acylphloroglucinols derived from secondary metabolites in the genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae) were synthesised and tested in vitro for anti-proliferative and tube-formation inhibitory activity in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). In addition, their anti-oxidative activity was determined via an ORAC-assay. The first series of compounds (4a–e) consisted of geranylated monocyclic acylphloroglucinols with varying aliphatic acyl substitution patterns, which were subsequently cyclised to the corresponding 2-methyl-2-prenylchromane derivatives (5a and 5d). The second series involved compounds containing a 2,2-dimethylchromane skeleton with differing aromatic acyl substitution (6a–d and 7a–e). Compound 7a, (5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-6-yl)-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanone), showed the highest in vitro anti-proliferative activity with an IC50 of 0.88 ± 0.08 μM and a remarkable anti-oxidative activity of 2.8 ± 0.1 TE from the ORAC test. Interestingly, the high anti-proliferative activity of these acylphloroglucinols was not associated with tube-formation inhibition. Compounds (E)-1-(3-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl)-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutan-1-one (4d) and (5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-6-yl)(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (6a) exhibited moderate to weak anti-proliferative effects (IC50 11.0 ± 1 μM and 48.0 ± 4.3 μM, respectively) and inhibited the capillary-like tube formation of HMEC-1 in vitro, whereas 7a was inactive. The most active compound in the ORAC assay was 7c, which exhibited an anti-oxidative effect of 6.6 ± 1.0 TE. However, this compound showed only weak activity during the proliferation assay (IC50 53.8 ± 0.3) and did not inhibit tube-formation.

A real-time and label-free in vitro assay based on electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was established, validated, and compared to an end-point MTT assay within an experimental trial addressing the cytoprotective effects of 19 different flavonoids, flavonoid metabolites, and phenolic acids and their methyl esters on the HT-22 neuronal cell line, after induction of oxidative stress with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Among the flavonoids under study, only those with a catechol unit and an additional 4-keto group provided cytoprotection. The presence of a 2,3-double bond was not a structural prerequisite for a neuroprotective effect. In the case of the phenolics, catechol substitution was the only structural requirement for activity. The flavonoids and other phenolics with a ferulic acid substitution or a single hydroxy group showed no activity. Electrochemical characterization of all compounds via square-wave voltammetry provided a rather specific correlation between cytoprotective activity and redox potential for the active flavonoids, but not for the active phenolics with a low molecular weight. Moreover this study was used to compare label-free ECIS recordings with results of the established MTT assay. Whereas the former provides time-resolved and thus entirely unbiased information on changes of cell morphology that are unequivocally associated with cell death, the latter requires predefined exposure times and a strict causality between metabolic activity and cell death. However, MTT assays are based on standard lab equipment and provide a more economic way to higher throughput.

A HPLC and a HPTLC-densitometric method were developed for the quantification of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 4′-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol the major chromone glucosides in the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata. The validation of both methods resulted in comparable parameters regarding stability, specificity, linearity, robustness, precision and recovery, whereas complementary advantages were obtained concerning LOD and LOQ. The HPTLC-based densitometry revealed a lower LOD (1.11 versus 4.37 μg mL−1 in HPLC) and LOQ (3.36 versus 13.24 μg mL−1 in HPLC) for prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, whereas the HPLC resulted in a lower LOD (1.00 versus 4.10 μg mL−1 in HPTLC-densitometry) and LOQ (3.04 versus 12.46 μg mL−1 in HPTLC-densitometry) for 4′-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol. Both methods revealed nearly matching contents of the chromones after analysis of different commercially available batches of Saposhnikoviae divaricatae radix with a total content for both chromone glycosides in the range from 0.31 ± 0.011 to 0.56 ± 0.021 % determined by HPLC and between 0.34 ± 0.011 and 0.61 ± 0.009 % determined by HPTLC. The plant material cultivated in Germany showed a very similar content and ratio of both chromone glucosides in comparison to the standard batches originating from China.

Purified oligomers of hyalobiuronic acid are indispensable tools to elucidate the physiological and pathophysiological role of hyaluronan degradation by various hyaluronidase isoenzymes. Therefore, we established and validated a novel sensitive, convenient, rapid, and cost-effective high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of small saturated hyaluronan oligosaccharides consisting of 2–4 hyalobiuronic acid moieties. The use of amino-modified silica as stationary phase allows a simple reagent-free in situ derivatization by heating, resulting in a very low limit of detection (7–19 pmol per band, depending on the analyzed saturated oligosaccharide). By this derivatization procedure for the first time densitometric quantification of the analytes could be performed by HPTLC. The validated method showed a quantification limit of 37–71 pmol per band and was proven to be superior in comparison to conventional detection of hyaluronan oligosaccharides. The analytes were identified by hyphenation of normal phase planar chromatography to mass spectrometry (TLC–MS) using electrospray ionization. As an alternative to sequential techniques such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), the validated HPTLC quantification method can easily be automated and is applicable to the analysis of multiple samples in parallel.Highlights► We established an HPTLC method for the quantification of hyaluronan oligosaccharides. ► We used amino-modified silica to enable reagent-free in situ derivatization. ► Densitometric quantification revealed LOD between 37 and 71 pmol per band. ► We enabled identification of the oligosaccharides by TLC–ESI-Q-TOF-MS coupling.

The 1H NMR-guided fractionation of a petroleum ether extract of Hypericum empetrifolium led to the isolation of four new bicyclic (1–4), four known bicyclic (5–8), three new tricyclic (9–11), and three new polycyclic acylphloroglucinols (12/13 and 14) possessing a monoterpenoid citran moiety. Compounds 12/13 were isolated as a mixture of two inseparable structural isomers. The compounds showed in vitro antiproliferative activity against human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) with IC50 values in the range 9.2 ± 2.0 to 29.6 ± 3.5 μM.

Five acylphloroglucinols substituted with monoterpenoids (empetrifelixin A–D and empetrikajaforin), three known monocyclic acylphloroglucinols and one monocyclic acylphloroglucinol were isolated from a petrol ether extract of Hypericum empetrifolium after fractionation by flash chromatography on silica gel, RP-18 and subsequent purification by preparative HPLC (RP-18). Their structures were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR techniques and HREIMS. To determine a possible anti-angiogenic activity, inhibition of cell proliferation was measured using a human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). Subconfluent grown HMEC-1 cells were treated with all compounds isolated in sufficient amounts and stained with crystal violet. Highest activity was observed for empetrifelixin A and empetrifelixin D showing a concentration dependent inhibition of cell proliferation with IC50 values of 6.5 ± 0.1 and 7.3 ± 0.4 μM, respectively. Empetrifelixin A also showed activity in a cell migration assay with HMEC-1 cells in low micromolar concentrations.Graphical abstractFive acylphloroglucinols substituted with monoterpenoids were isolated from a petrol ether extract of Hypericum empetrifolium by an 1H NMR guided approach. Inhibition of cell proliferation was measured using a human microvascular endothelial cell line. Most active compounds showed a concentration dependent inhibition of cell proliferation with IC50 values in the lower micromolar range.Highlights► We isolated five phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum empetrifolium. ► We applied a 1H NMR guided approach. ► We found a rare monoterpenoid substitution of the phloroglucinols. ► We found significant inhibition of cell proliferation in endothelial cells.

Cannabinoid receptors (CBR) are important drug targets for the treatment of various inflammatory, metabolic and neurological diseases. Therefore, sensitive test systems for the assessment of ligands are needed. In this study, a steady-state GTPase assay for human CBR subtypes 1 and 2 was developed to characterize the pharmacological property of ligands at a very proximal point of the signal transduction cascade. Establishing these in vitro test sytems, we studied cell or tissue membranes heterogenously or endogenously expressing CBR, such as CBR-infected Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293 cells, rat cerebellum and spleen cells. The lack of effects in the GTPase assay and in [35S]GTPγS binding experiments in these expression system, directed us to use Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. Co-expressing CBR, different Gα-subunits, Gβγ heterodimer, and RGS (Regulator of G-protein signaling)-proteins in Sf9 cell membranes greatly improved the sensitivity of the assay, with highest GTPase activation in the CBR + Gαi2 + Gβ1γ2 + RGS4 system. We examined exogenous and endogenous standard ligands as well as secondary metabolites as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), dodeca-2E,4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide, an alkylamide from Echinacea purpurea, and an E. purpurea hexane extract according their agonistic and antagonistic properties. The suitability of the assay for screening procedures was also proven by detecting the activity of Δ9-THC in a matrix of other less active compounds (Δ9-THC-free Cannabis sativa extract). In conclusion, we have developed highly sensitive test systems for the analysis of CBR ligands.

The minor hop (Humulus lupulus) chalcones 3′-geranylchalconaringenin (3), 5′-prenylxanthohumol (4), flavokawin (5), xanthohumol H (8), xanthohumol C (9), and 1′′,2′′-dihydroxanthohumol C (10) were synthesized. The non-natural chalcones 3′-geranyl-6′-O-methylchalconaringenin (2), 3′-methylflavokawin (6), and 2′-O-methyl-3′-prenylchalconaringenin (7) were also synthesized. Cytotoxicity was investigated in HeLa cells, and these compounds all had IC50 values comparable to xanthohumol (8.2−19.2 μM). The ORAC-fluorescein assay revealed potent antioxidative activity for 7 and 8 with 5.2 and 4.8 Trolox equivalents, respectively.

IntroductionA quantified aqueous Willow bark extract (STW 33-I) was tested concerning its inhibitory activity on TNF-α induced ICAM-1 expression in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and further fractionated to isolate the active compounds.ResultsAt 50 μg/ml the extract, which had been prepared from Salix purpurea L., decreased ICAM-1 expression to 40% compared to control cells without showing cytotoxic effects. Further liquid–liquid partition revealed an ethyl acetate phase with potent reduction of ICAM-1 expression to 40% at 8 μg/ml. This fraction was comprehensively characterised by the isolation of flavanone aglyca and their corresponding glycosides, chalcone glycosides, salicin derivatives, cyclohexane-1,2-diol glycosides, catechol and trans-p-coumaric acid. All compounds were investigated for their activity on TNF-α induced ICAM-1 expression. The flavonoid and chalcone glycosides were not active up to 50 μM, whereas catechol and eriodictyol at the same concentration showed a significant reduction of ICAM-1 expression to 50% of control. Interestingly, other isolated flavanone aglyca like taxifolin, dihydrokaempferol and naringenin showed only weak or moderate inhibitory activity. Eriodictyol was a minor compound in the extract, whereas the catechol content in the extract (without excipients) reached 2.3%, determined by HPLC. One of the isolated cyclohexan-1,2-diol glucosides, 6′-O-4-hydroxybenzoyl-grandidentin, is a new natural compound.ConclusionAs catechol is quantitatively important in Willow bark extracts it can be concluded from the in vitro data that not only flavonoids and salicin derivatives, but also catechol can probably contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Willow bark extracts.