Biomedical subjects

Nikolaus H Fischer

Publications and source records attributed to Nikolaus H Fischer.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Inhibition of NF-kappaB-mediated transcription and induction of apoptosis by melampolides and repandolides.

PURPOSE: Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammatory processes, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Blocking NF-kappaB signaling may represent a therapeutic strategy in cancer and inflammation therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sesquiterpenes isolated from Asteraceae, namely melampolides (enhydrin, tetraludin A) and repandolides (repandins A, B, D and E) on the activation of NF-kappaB, cell growth of cancer cells, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. In addition, their effects on the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme were also evaluated. METHODS: Cell-based reporter gene assay was conducted in SW1353 cells. COX-2 enzyme activity and cell growth inhibition was determined by enzyme immunoassay and MTT assay respectively. Cell cycle analysis was carried out by flow cytometry and apoptosis was observed by DAPI staining assay. RESULTS: In SW1353 cells, transcription mediated by NF-kappaB was inhibited by enhydrin, tetraludin A and repandins A, B, D and E, while Sp-1 mediated transcription was not affected. COX-2 enzyme activity was inhibited by enhydrin, repandin A and E, but not by tetraludin A, repandin B and D. These compounds were effective in inhibiting the growth of a panel of human tumor cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis and DAPI staining indicated cell cycle arrest in G(2)/M phase and induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Enhydrin, tetraludin A and repandins A, B, D and E inhibited tumor cell growth and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These effects may be related to inhibition of NF-B activation.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2005

A novel inhibitor of respiratory syncytial virus isolated from ethnobotanicals.

A novel low molecular weight compound, CJ 4-16-4, isolated from ethnobotanicals using bioassay-guided fractionation, was found to be a potent inhibitor of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, a very low micromolar efficacious dose was obtained against at least four of subtype A (RSV-Long, RSV A2, and RSV A6 57754) and one of subtype B (Washington) RSV strains without seeing any significant cytotoxicity to Hep-2, MDCK or Vero cell lines. The drug inhibits growth of RSV in Hep-2 cells maintained in tissue culture at a very low concentration (approximately 0.07 microM) with cell toxicity >400 microM (TI>5880). In a cotton rat model of RSV infection, the drug was able to reduce viral titers by approximately 1 log at dose 12.5 and 25 mg/kg/day, and by >2 log at 100 mg/kg/day. This antiviral activity was specific as influenza A and B and herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses were not inhibited. The results obtained indicate that CJ 4-16-4 warrants clinical development.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2005

New perspectives on natural products in TB drug research.

The challenge of discovering new, urgently needed anti-TB drugs from natural sources requires a truly interdisciplinary research. Cutting-edge mycobacteriology and innovative natural products chemistry tools have to be developed and employed in tandem, in order to meet these demands. The present review provides cross-linkage to the most recent literature on anti-TB active natural products and summarizes the recent developments in both fields and their potential to impact the early steps of the TB drug discovery process.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Three ginkgolide hydrates from Ginkgo biloba L.: ginkgolide A monohydrate, ginkgolide C sesquihydrate and ginkgolide J dihydrate, all determined at 120 K.

A low-temperature structure of ginkgolide A monohydrate, (1R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)-3-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-hexahydro-4,7b-dihydroxy-8-methyl-9H-1,7a-epoxymethano-1H,6aH-cyclopenta[c]furo[2,3-b]furo[3',2':3,4]cyclopenta[1,2-d]furan-5,9,12(4H)-trione monohydrate, C(20)H(24)O(9) x H(2)O, obtained from Mo K alpha data, is a factor of three more precise than the previous room-temperature determination. A refinement of the ginkgolide A monohydrate structure with Cu K alpha data has allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration of the series of compounds. Ginkgolide C sesquihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11S,11aR)-3-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-hexahydro-2,4,7b,11-tetrahydroxy-8-methyl-9H-1,7a-epoxymethano-1H,6aH-cyclopenta[c]furo[2,3-b]furo[3',2':3,4]cyclopenta[1,2-d]furan-5,9,12(4H)-trione sesquihydrate, C(20)H(24)O(11) x 1.5H(2)O, has two independent diterpene molecules, both of which exhibit intramolecular hydrogen bonding between OH groups. Ginkgolide J dihydrate, (1S,2R,3S,3aS,4R,6aR,7aR,7bR,8S,10aS,11aS)-3-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-hexahydro-2,4,7b-trihydroxy-8-methyl-9H-1,7a-epoxymethano-1H,6aH-cyclopenta[c]furo[2,3-b]furo[3',2':3,4]cyclopenta[1,2-d]furan-5,9,12(4H)-trione dihydrate, C(20)H(24)O(10) x 2H(2)O, has the same basic skeleton as the other ginkgolides, with its three OH groups having the same configurations as those in ginkgolide C. The conformations of the six five-membered rings are quite similar across ginkgolides A-C and J, except for the A and F rings of ginkgolide A.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed2002

Stigmasterol hemihydrate.

The title compound, stigmasta-5,22-dien-3beta-ol hemihydrate, C(29)H(48)O x 0.5H(2)O, previously thought to be the monohydrate, has two sterol molecules and one water molecule in the asymmetric unit. In both sterol molecules, the methyl group of the ethyl substituent at the end of the hydrocarbon chain is disordered over two sites. The OH group of molecule A donates a hydrogen bond to a water molecule and accepts a hydrogen bond from the OH group of molecule B. The OH group of molecule B accepts two hydrogen bonds from water molecules.

Asteraceae↗