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Biomedical subjects

Ya-Ching Shen

Publications and source records attributed to Ya-Ching Shen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Two new sesquiterpene lactones from Ixeris chinensis.

Phytochemical investigation of Ixeris chinensis NAKAI (Asteraceae) has resulted in the isolation of a new guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactone, ixerochinolide (1) as well as the related glucoside, ixerochinoside (2). In addition, the known guaianolides, 8beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-guaia-4(15),10(14),11(13)-trien-1alpha,5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (8beta-hydroxydehydrozaluzanin), 8beta,15-dihydroxy-2-oxo-guaia-1(10),3,11(13)-trien-5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (lactucin), 3beta,8alpha,10alpha-trihydroxy-guaia-4(15),11(13)-dien-1alpha,5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (10alpha-hydroxy-10,14-dihydro-desacylcynaropicrin) and 3beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-8beta-(p-hydroxyphenylacetyloxy)-guaia-4(15),10(14),11(13)-trien-1alpha,5alpha,6beta,7alphaH-12,6-olide (8-epicrepioside) were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analyses, especially 1- and 2D NMR. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human PC-3 tumor cells.

Asteraceae↗

Bioactive pyranoxanthones from the roots of Calophyllum blancoi.

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Calophyllum blancoi growing in Taiwan resulted in the isolation of three new pyranoxanthones, blancoxanthone (1), acetyl blancoxanthone (2) and 3-hydroxyblancoxanthone (3), in addition to two known pyranoxanthones, pyranojacaeubin (4) and caloxanthone (5). Structural characterization of the isolated compounds was determined by spectral analyses especially 2-D NMR. Biological study of the isolated xanthones revealed that blancoxanthone (1) exhibited significant anti-coronavirus activity.

Acetylation↗

The preparation and evaluation of 1-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- and 3,4-dihydro-beta-carboline derivatives as potential antitumor agents.

A series of 1-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- and 3,4-dihydro-beta-carboline derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for antitumor activity against murine P-388 and human tumor cell lines, KB-16, A-549 and HT-29. All of the compounds prepared, except for 19, showed significant cytotoxicity. Among them, compound 29 exhibited the most potent activity against all tested tumor cell lines. There was an apparent lack of correlation regarding cytotoxicity between 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- and 3,4-dihydro-beta-carbolines. This study is the first to discover compound 29 as a potential lead for the development of future anticancer agents. The mode of inhibition for compound 29 was proposed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

New bicyclic taxane diterpenoids from Taxus sumatrana.

Investigation of an acetone extract of the leaves and twigs of Taxus sumatrana has resulted in the isolation of two new bicyclic taxoids, tasumatrols M (1), and N (2) and a new baccatin III derivative, tasumatrol O (3) together with the previous known 7-deacetylcanadensene (4) and 2alpha,7beta,13alpha-triacetoxy-5alpha,9alpha-dihydroxy-2(3-->20) abeotaxa-4(20),11-dien-10-one. The structures of these taxanes were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, especially 1- and 2D NMR, and chemical derivatization.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds↗

Investigation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways of new clerodane diterpenoids in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

In our continuing search to discover bioactive compounds from natural products, we isolated six new clerodane diterpenes, caseamembrins A to F, from Casearia membranacea and examined their antiproliferative activities in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells. All of these compounds displayed effective antiproliferative activity using sulforhodamine B assays and induced cell apoptosis by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-reaction technique. The data demonstrated that caseamembrin C was the most effective compound among these clerodane diterpenoids. Caseamembrin C induced down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, while up-regulation of proapoptotic protein Mcl-1S (short chain), suggesting that these Bcl-2 family member proteins may play a role on arbitrating the apoptotic cell death. Caseamembrin C also induced the up-regulation of Fas ligand (FasL) expression, cleavage and activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9, Bid cleavage and activation of executor caspase-3. However, z-IETD-FMK (Z-Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, a selective caspase-8 inhibitor) almost completely inhibited caseamembrin C-induced Bid cleavage without any modification of caspase-9 activation, indicating that the extrinsic pathway of FasL/caspase-8/Bid cascade only played a minor role in the apoptotic signaling. Taken together, it is suggested that caseamembrin C-induced apoptosis is predominantly through the activation of intrinsic apoptosis pathways by causing the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, up-regulation of Mcl-1S protein and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.

Apoptosis↗

Characterization of the cytotoxic mechanism of Mana-Hox, an analog of manzamine alkaloids.

Mana-Hox is a synthetic analog of manzamines, which are beta-carboline alkaloids isolated from marine sponges. Mana-Hox exhibited cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines with the IC(50) range from 1 to 5 microM. Cell cycle synchronization and flow cytometric analysis showed that Mana-Hox delayed cell cycle progression at mitosis. At the concentration that delayed mitotic progression, bipolar spindle with lagged chromosomes and multipolar spindle with disorganized chromosomes were detected. The presence of such aberrant mitotic cells accompanied by the activation of spindle checkpoint that delayed cells exit from mitosis. However, after a short delay, lagged chromosomes were able to display in the abnormal metaphase plates, and subsequent cell division resulting in chromosome missegregation. Furthermore, the aberrant mitotic cells showed lower viability, indicating that Mana-Hox-induced cell death resulting from chromosome missegregation. This study is the first to explore cytotoxic mechanism of a manzamine-related compound and understand its potential as a lead compound for the development of future anticancer agents.

Alkaloids↗

Vibsane diterpenoids from the leaves and flowers of Viburnum odoratissimum.

In addition to the five known compounds 5-epi-vibsanin H, vibsanins C, H, and G, and aldovibsanin B, four new diterpenes, 5-epi-vibsanin G (1), 18-O-methylvibsanin G (2), vibsanin M (3), and aldovibsanin C (4), were isolated from an acetone extract of the leaves and flowers of Viburnum odoratissimum by bioassay-directed fractionation. In addition, two acetyl derivatives 5 and 6 were obtained from the naturally occurring diterpenes. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of NMR spectral analysis, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY correlations. The compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HONE-1) tumor cells and human gastric cancer (NUGC-3) cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

New cytotoxic clerodane diterpenoids from the leaves and twigs of Casearia membranacea.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble extract of Casearia membranacea has resulted in the isolation of six new clerodane diterpenes, caseamembrins A-F (1-6), and a known compound, rel-(2S,5R,6R,8S,9S,10R,18S,19R)-diacetoxy-18,19-epoxy-6-hydroxy-2-(2-methylbutanoyloxy)cleroda-3,13(16),14-triene (7). The structures of 1-6 were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. In addition, the new derivatives, 8 and 9, were prepared by acylation of 7 and 3, respectively. The isolated diterpenoids and their derivatives were tested against human prostate (PC-3) and hepatoma (Hep3B) cancer cells. Compounds 1, 3-5, and 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against both tumor cells, with IC(50) values below 3 micromicro, while compounds 2, 6, 8, and 9 were less effective.

Acetylation↗

New prostanoids with cytotoxic activity from Taiwanese octocoral Clavularia viridis.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH extract of Clavularia viridis collected in Taiwan has afforded seven new prostanoids, designated as 4-deacetoxyl-12-O-deacetylclavulone I (1), 4-deacetoxyl-12-O-deacetylclavulone II (2), bromovulone II (4), iodovulone II (5), 4-deacetoxyl-12-O-deacetylclavulone III (6), bromovulone III (7), and iodovulone III (8), in addition to seven known prostanoids (clavulones I, II, III, 7-acetoxy-7,8-dihydroiodovulone, chlorovulones II, III, and 4-deacetoxylclavulone II (3, claviridenone E)). The structures of compounds 1-8 were determined on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques including COSY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments. Pharmacological study revealed that bromovulone III (7) and chlorovulone II exhibited the most promising cytotoxicity against human prostate (PC-3) and colon (HT29) cancer cells.

Animals↗

New regio- and stereoselective O-deacetylated and epoxy products of taxanes isolated from Taxus mairei.

Deacylation of a taxoid mixture isolated from the roots of Taxus mairei followed by chromatographic fractionation resulted in the isolation of three new taxoid derivatives, 2alpha,9alpha,10beta-triacetoxy-5alpha,14beta-dihydroxy-4(20),11(12)-taxadiene (1), 9alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-2alpha,5alpha,14beta-trihydroxy-4(20),11(12)-taxadiene (2), and 9alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-2alpha,5alpha,14beta-trihydroxy-4,20-epoxy,11(12)-taxene (3). Epoxidation of 2 afforded 9alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-2alpha,5alpha,14beta-trihydroxy-4,20:11,12-diepoxytaxane (6), while epoxidation of 4 yielded 9alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-5alpha,13alpha-dihydroxy-4,20-epoxy,11(12)-taxene (7) and 9alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-5alpha,13alpha-dihydroxy-4,20:11,12-diepoxytaxane (8). The structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of their NMR spectra. The structure and relative stereochemistry of 7 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Storage behavior of Chionanthus retusus seed and asynchronous development of the radicle and shoot apex during germination in relation to germination inhibitors, including abscisic acid and four phenolic glucosides.

Studies on seed storage of Chionanthus retusus Lindl. & Paxt. revealed an orthodox behavior, one which showed both desiccation and freezing tolerance. An epicotyl after-ripening dormancy was expressed in C. retusus seeds by slow growth of the shoot apex relative to more rapid growth of the radicle when seeds were germinated at 30/20 degrees C. Although these seeds exhibit radicle protrusion, they must be after-ripened for another 8-10 weeks at 30/20 degrees C in order to obtain normal shoot growth. Removal of the endosperm, however, quickly stimulated cotyledon and shoot emergence without the additional after-ripening. Water-soluble glucoside phenolics, GL-3, Nuzhenide, ligustroside and oleoside dimethyl ester are present at relatively high levels in endosperm of freshly harvested seeds. These glucoside phenolics are excreted from the endosperm during subsequent after-ripening. Embryo and endosperm tissue from seed germinating at 30/20 degrees C (germination being defined by protrusion of the radicle) had a 10 times lower abscisic acid (ABA) content than similar tissues from freshly harvested mature seed. However, no shoot growth occurred even with the 10-fold reduction in ABA and a concomitant increase in endogenous gibberellins A1, A4 and A20. Thus, epicotyl dormancy during the first 8 weeks of after-ripening at 30/20 degrees C may be controlled by factors other than high ABA, i.e., the slow development of the shoot apex following radicle protrusion may be controlled more by high levels of glucoside phenolics than by diminished ABA and elevated GA levels.

Abscisic Acid↗

Two new cytotoxic clerodane diterpenoids from Casearia membranacea.

In addition to casearlucin A (3), two new clerodane diterpenes, caseamembrols A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from the leaves and twigs of Casearia membranacea by bioassay-guided fractionation. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-3 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human prostate (PC-3) cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Chromanones and dihydrocoumarins from Calophyllum blancoi.

Chromatographic fractionation of the acetone extract of the seeds of Calophyllum blancoi yielded six pyranochromanone derivatives; apetalic acid (1), isoapetalic acid (2), apetalic acid methyl ester (3), apetalic acid 5-O-acetate (4), isoapetalic methyl ester (5), and isoapetalic acid 5-O-acetate (6). In addition, one new dihydrocoumarin derivative, isorecedensolide (7), was also isolated together with recedensolide (8). The structures of the isolated compounds were established through analysis of NMR spectral data including 2D techniques as well as other physical and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 showed mild activity against KB (human oral epidermoid carcinoma) and Hela (human cervical epitheloid carcinoma) tumor cell lines.

Anthraquinones↗

Daphniglaucins A and B, novel polycyclic quaternary alkaloids from Daphniphyllum glaucescens.

[structure: see text] Two cytotoxic quaternary Daphniphyllum alkaloids with an unprecedented fused-polycyclic skeleton containing a 1-azoniatetracyclo[5.2.2.0.(1,6)0.(4,9)]undecane ring system, daphniglaucins A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the leaves of Daphniphyllum glaucescens. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Bridged-Ring Compounds↗

New briaranes from the Taiwanese gorgonian Junceella juncea.

In addition to the known junceelolide C (4), three new briaranes, juncenolides B (1), C (2), and D (3), have been isolated from the acetone extract of a red Gorgonian Junceella juncea collected in Taiwan. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of FABMS and 2D NMR techniques including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments. Among them, compound 2 exhibited mild cytotoxicity against human liver carcinoma (HEPA 59T/VGH) and oral epidermoid (KB) carcinoma cells.

Animals↗

Isolation of sesquiterpenoids from sponge Dysidea avara and chemical modification of avarol as potential antitumor agents.

The marine sponge Dysidea avara contained avarol (1) and avarone (2). Avarol on acylation yielded 2',5'-O-dibenzoylavarol (3); 2,5'-O-(4-chlorobenzoyl)avarol (4); 2,5'-O-dicinnamoylavarol (5); 2,5'-O-(4-bromobenzoyl)avarol(6); 2',5'-O-dioctanoylavarol (7); 2',5'-O-(4-fluorobenzoyl)avarol (8) and diacetylavarol (9). The structural elucidation of all the compounds 1-9 have been done by spectral analysis. The cytotoxicity of these compounds were also determined and evaluated. Compounds 6 and 9 showed selective cytotoxicity against Hepa (human hepatoma) and KB cell lines respectively.

Acylation↗

Inocalophyllins A, B and their methyl esters from the seeds of Calophyllum inophyllum.

Fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Calophyllum inophyllum L. has resulted in the isolation of four novel pyranocoumarin derivatives, designated as inocalophyllins A (1), B (2) and their methyl esters (3, 4) in addition to the known calophyllolide. The structures of these compounds have been determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including MS, heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity (HMBC) and two dimensional incredible natural abundance double quantum transfer experiment (2D-INADEQUATE). Two new methylated products, 5 and 6 were also prepared by methylation of compounds 1 and 2, respectively.

Calophyllum↗