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Toxins Dec 2023The injudicious and excessive use of synthetic pesticides has deleterious effects on humans, ecosystems, and biodiversity. As an alternative to traditional...
The injudicious and excessive use of synthetic pesticides has deleterious effects on humans, ecosystems, and biodiversity. As an alternative to traditional crop-protection methods, botanical pesticides are gaining importance. In this research endeavor, we examined the contact toxicity, knockdown time, lethal time, and toxicity horizontal transmission of three natural pesticides from plants (azadirachtin, celangulin, and veratramine) on red imported fire ants (RIFA; ). Our research findings indicated that azadirachtin and celangulin exhibited relatively high toxicity, with median lethal dose (LD) values of 0.200 and 0.046 ng/ant, respectively, whereas veratramine exhibited an LD value of 544.610 ng/ant for large workers of at 24 h post-treatment. Upon treatment with 0.125 mg/L, the (median lethal time) LT values of azadirachtin and celangulin were determined to be 60.410 and 9.905 h, respectively. For veratramine, an LT value of 46.967 h was achieved after being tested with 200 mg/L. Remarkably, azadirachtin and celangulin were found to exhibit high horizontal transfer among RIFA, with high secondary mortality (100%) and tertiary mortalities (>61%) after 48 h of treatment with 250 mg/L, as well as with their dust formulations for 72 h. However, veratramine did not exhibit significant toxicity or horizontal transfer effects on RIFA, even at high concentrations. These findings suggest that azadirachtin and celangulin are likely to have a highly prominent potential in the management of .
Topics: Animals; Humans; Pesticides; Fire Ants; Ecosystem; Insecticides; Ants; Veratrum Alkaloids; Limonins
PubMed: 38276530
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16010006 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024contains steroidal alkaloids that function as inhibitors of hedgehog (Hh) signaling, a pathway involved in the growth and differentiation of cells and normal tissue...
contains steroidal alkaloids that function as inhibitors of hedgehog (Hh) signaling, a pathway involved in the growth and differentiation of cells and normal tissue development. This same Hh pathway is abnormally active for cell proliferation in more than 20 types of cancer. In this current study, alkaloids have been extracted from the root and rhizome of , followed by their separation into five fractions using high performance liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the presence of twenty-five alkaloids, nine more than are commonly cited in literature reports, and the Bruker Compass Data Analysis software was used to predict the molecular formula for every detected alkaloid. The Gli activity of the raw extract and each fraction were compared to 0.1 µM cyclopamine, and fractions 1, 2, and 4 showed increased bioactivity through suppression of the Hh signaling pathway. Fractions 2 and 4 had enhanced bioactivity, but fraction 1 was most effective in inhibiting Hh signaling. The composition of fraction 1 consisted of veratrosine, cycloposine, and potential isomers of each.
PubMed: 38256956
DOI: 10.3390/ph17010123 -
Radiation Research May 2024The current geopolitical context has brought the radiological nuclear risk to the forefront of concerns. High-dose localized radiation exposure leads to the development... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The current geopolitical context has brought the radiological nuclear risk to the forefront of concerns. High-dose localized radiation exposure leads to the development of a musculocutaneous radiation syndrome affecting the skin and subcutaneous muscles. Despite the implementation of a gold standard treatment based on an invasive surgical procedure coupled with autologous cell therapy, a muscular defect frequently persists. Targeting the modulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway appears to be a promising therapeutic approach. Activation of this pathway enhances cell survival and promotes proliferation after irradiation, while inhibition by Cyclopamine facilitates differentiation. In this study, we compared the effects of three antagonists of Hh, Cyclopamine (CA), Vismodegib (VDG) and Sonidegib (SDG) on differentiation. A stable cell line of murine myoblasts, C2C12, was exposed to X-ray radiation (5 Gy) and treated with CA, VDG or SDG. Analysis of proliferation, survival (apoptosis), morphology, myogenesis genes expression and proteins production were performed. According to the results, VDG does not have a significant impact on C2C12 cells. SDG increases the expression/production of differentiation markers to a similar extent as CA, while morphologically, SDG proves to be more effective than CA. To conclude, SDG can be used in the same way as CA but already has a marketing authorization with an indication against basal cell cancers, facilitating their use in vivo. This proof of concept demonstrates that SDG represents a promising alternative to CA to promotes differentiation of murine myoblasts. Future studies on isolated and cultured satellite cells and in vivo will test this proof of concept.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Hedgehog Proteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Signal Transduction; Cell Line; Regeneration; Pyridines; Veratrum Alkaloids; Anilides; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Proliferation; Cell Differentiation; Cell Survival; Apoptosis; Muscle Development
PubMed: 38253061
DOI: 10.1667/RADE-23-00140.1 -
Virus Research Jan 2024Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a contagious intestinal disease caused by α-coronavirus porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). At present, no effective vaccine is...
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a contagious intestinal disease caused by α-coronavirus porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). At present, no effective vaccine is available to prevent the disease. Therefore, research for novel antivirals is important. This study aimed to identify the antiviral mechanism of Veratramine (VAM), which actively inhibits PEDV replication with a 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC) of ∼5 µM. Upon VAM treatment, both PEDV-nucleocapsid (N) protein level and virus titer decreased significantly. The time-of-addition assay results showed that VAM could inhibit PEDV replication by blocking viral entry. Importantly, VAM could inhibit PEDV-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) activity and further suppress micropinocytosis, which is required for PEDV entry. In addition, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 showed anti-PEDV activity by blocking viral entry as well. Taken together, VAM possessed anti-PEDV properties against the entry stage of PEDV by inhibiting the macropinocytosis pathway by suppressing the PI3K/Akt pathway. VAM could be considered as a lead compound for the development of anti-PEDV drugs and may be used during the viral entry stage of PEDV infection.
Topics: Animals; Chlorocebus aethiops; Coronavirus Infections; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Swine; Swine Diseases; Veratrum Alkaloids; Vero Cells; Virus Internalization
PubMed: 37923169
DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199260 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The phytochemical investigation of Loes. roots resulted in the isolation and characterization of two novel, namely Mengtzeanines A (), Mengtzeanines B (), and eight...
The phytochemical investigation of Loes. roots resulted in the isolation and characterization of two novel, namely Mengtzeanines A (), Mengtzeanines B (), and eight known steroidal alkaloids (-). Their structural properties were assessed though extensive spectroscopic techniques. All constituents - were analyzed for suppression of NO formation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Among them, constituent (Verazine) showed inhibition against LPS-induced NO production (IC = 20.41 μM). Additionally, compound could inhibit the secretion of IL1β, IL6, and TNFα, and downregulate the productions of iNOS and COX2 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Further experiments revealed that exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory level in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages via inhibiting NF-κB, and triggering of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 axis, implying that compound may be a promising candidate for treating inflammatory disorders.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Veratrum; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Lipopolysaccharides; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Alkaloids; NF-kappa B; RAW 264.7 Cells; Nitric Oxide
PubMed: 37894597
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207116 -
Inflammopharmacology Feb 2024Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestinal mucosa and a prevalent gastrointestinal condition in developed countries. Peiminine, derived from...
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestinal mucosa and a prevalent gastrointestinal condition in developed countries. Peiminine, derived from the Fritillaria imperialis plant, exhibits remarkable anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of peiminine in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis was induced intra-rectally in all groups, except the negative control, using 100 μl of 4% acetic acid. Peiminine treatment was initiated after ulcerative colitis induction and symptom manifestation. After the final injection, mice were sacrificed on day 15 for assessment. Various parameters were evaluated, including disease activity index, myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide levels, production and expression of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α cytokines, and expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX2 genes. Microscopic pathological evaluation was performed on colon tissue. Peiminine treatment resulted in reduced levels of NO, MPO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α genes, iNOS, and COX2 genes was decreased in response to peiminine treatment in these mice. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of peiminine in alleviating inflammatory manifestations and mitigating intestinal tissue damage in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis, probably by anti-inflammatory procedure. Peiminine holds potential as a therapeutic adjunct for the management of ulcerative colitis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Acetic Acid; Colitis, Ulcerative; Cyclooxygenase 2; Interleukin-6; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Interleukin-1beta; Nitric Oxide; Cevanes
PubMed: 37855980
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01360-4 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Oct 2023A concise and enantioselective total synthesis of the alkaloid cyclopamine is disclosed. This highly convergent synthesis with a 16-step longest linear sequence (LLS)...
A concise and enantioselective total synthesis of the alkaloid cyclopamine is disclosed. This highly convergent synthesis with a 16-step longest linear sequence (LLS) was enabled by a synthesis of the -6,5-heterobicycle via a strain-inducing halocyclization process, a key Tsuji-Trost cyclization to construct the fully substituted, spirocyclic THF motif with exquisite diastereocontrol, and a late-stage ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction to forge the central tetrasubstituted olefin.
Topics: Cyclization; Alkenes; Veratrum Alkaloids; Stereoisomerism
PubMed: 37782691
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09085 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RNA synthesis takes place in cytoplasmic viral factories also called inclusion bodies (IBs), which are membrane-less organelles...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RNA synthesis takes place in cytoplasmic viral factories also called inclusion bodies (IBs), which are membrane-less organelles concentrating the viral RNA polymerase complex. The assembly of IBs is driven by liquid-liquid phase separation promoted by interactions between the viral nucleoprotein N and the phosphoprotein P. We recently demonstrated that cyclopamine (CPM) inhibits RSV multiplication by disorganizing and hardening IBs. Although a single mutation in the viral transcription factor M2-1 induced resistance to CPM, the mechanism of action of CPM still remains to be characterized. Here, using FRAP experiments on reconstituted pseudo-IBs both in cellula and in vitro, we first demonstrated that CPM activity depends on the presence of M2-1 together with N and P. We showed that CPM impairs the competition between P and RNA binding to M2-1. As mutations on both P and M2-1 induced resistance against CPM activity, we suggest that CPM may affect the dynamics of the M2-1-P interaction, thereby affecting the relative mobility of the proteins contained in RSV IBs. Overall, our results reveal that stabilizing viral protein-protein interactions is an attractive new antiviral approach. They pave the way for the rational chemical optimization of new specific anti-RSV molecules.
Topics: RNA; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Veratrum Alkaloids; Inclusion Bodies
PubMed: 37762166
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813862 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Sep 2023The alkaloids are highly complex steroidal alkaloids characterized by their intricate structural and stereochemical features and exhibit a diverse range of...
The alkaloids are highly complex steroidal alkaloids characterized by their intricate structural and stereochemical features and exhibit a diverse range of pharmacological activities. A new synthetic pathway has been developed to access this family of natural products, which enabled the first total synthesis of (-)-zygadenine. This synthetic route entails the construction of a hexacyclic carbon skeleton through a stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, followed by a radical cyclization. Subsequently, a meticulously designed sequence of redox manipulations was optimized to achieve the synthesis of this highly oxidized alkaloid.
Topics: Stereoisomerism; Cyclization; Biological Products; Carbon; Cycloaddition Reaction
PubMed: 37683183
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08039 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Nov 2023Hypertension is a serious global public health issue. Blood pressure (BP) is still not effectively controlled in about 20 - 30% of hypertensive patients. Therefore, it...
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a serious global public health issue. Blood pressure (BP) is still not effectively controlled in about 20 - 30% of hypertensive patients. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new treatments for hypertension. Veratrum alkaloids were once used for the clinical treatment of hypertension, the mechanism of which is still unclear. It was gradually phased out due to adverse reactions.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the short-term and long-term hypotensive profiles of different components of Veratrum alkaloids in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) to unveil their mechanisms of action.
RESULTS
Total Veratrum alkaloid (V), component A (A), and veratramine (M) quickly decreased BP within 30 min of treatment, reduced renal and cardiovascular damage, and improved relevant biochemical indicators (nitric oxide [NO], endothelin-1 [ET-1], angiotensin II [Ang II)], noradrenaline [NE], etc) in SHRs to delay stroke occurrence. Thereinto, A exhibited excellent protective effects in cardiovascular disease. The metabolomic profiles of SHRs treated with V, A, and M were significantly different from those of SHRs treated with vehicle. Thirteen metabolites were identified as potential pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, V, A, and M-induced hypotension was mainly related to alterations in nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, GABAergic synapses, linoleic acid metabolism, ketone body synthesis and degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, and urea cycle, of which nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism was the key metabolic pathway to relieve hypertension.
CONCLUSION
This work shows that A is an effective and promising antihypertensive agent for hypertension treatment to reduce BP and hypertensive target organ damage, which is mainly mediated through modulating nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, RAS, and NO-ET homeostasis.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Rats; Antihypertensive Agents; Niacin; Veratrum Alkaloids; Hypertension; Data Analysis; Niacinamide
PubMed: 37647672
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155033