Characterization of archaeological frankincense by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A simple gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method has been developed for the characterization of frankincense in archaeological samples. After trimethylsilylation of the methanolic extract, 15 triterpenoids have been found among the chemical constituents of commercial olibanum (alpha-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-alpha-boswellic acid, beta-boswellic acid, 3-O-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin, lupeol, 3-epi-beta-amyrin, 3-epi-beta-amyrin, 3-epi-lupeol, alpha-amyrenone, beta-amyrenone, lupenone, 3alpha-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid and 3-O-acetyl-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid). These compounds have been unequivocally identified by retention time and mass spectral comparison with pure standards previously isolated, for the most part, in our laboratory. Within these triterpenes, acid ones, the corresponding O-acetates, and their products of degradation were found to be characteristic of frankincense (Boswellia resin). The presence of these unusual triterpenic compounds in an archaeological resinous sample, recovered during excavations from Dahshour site (Egypt, XIIth Dynasty), enabled us to identify unambiguously frankincense resin among several other materials. Additional chromatographic peaks of this sample were assigned to broad chemical classes using retention time and mass spectra features.     

1H and 13C assignments of two new triterpenes from Cladocolea grahami

The structure elucidation and 1H and 13C assignments of the new triterpenes 3beta-palmitoxy-7beta-hydroxyolean-12-ene (1) and its hydrolysis product 3beta,7beta-dihydroxyolean-12-ene (2) and 3beta-sn-glyceroyl-(1'-palmitoxy)urs-12-ene (3), isolated from the aerial parts of Cladocolea grahami (Loranthaceae), are reported.     

New serratane triterpenes from western white pine bark

Three new serratanes were isolated from the nonsaponifiable fraction of western white pine ($\text{Pinus monticola}$ Dougl.) bark. The compounds were shown to be 3β-methoxyserrat-14-ene-21α,30-diol ($\text{8a}$), 3β-methoxyserrat-14-ene-21α, 29-diol ($\text{9a}$), and 3β-methoxyserrat-14-ene-21β,30-diol ($\text{10a}$), by a combination of chemical, and spectral methods.     

Triterpene Glycosides of Astragalus and Their Genins. LXVI. Cycloorbicoside C, a New Bisdesmoside

The new triterpene glycoside cycloorbicoside C was isolated from the aerial parts of Astragalus orbiculatus Ledeb. (Leguminosae) and was identified as (23R,24S)-16,23;16,24-diepoxycycloartan-3,25-diol 3-O--D-xylopyranoside 25-O--D-glucopyranoside.     

Immunomodulatory Properties of Masticadienonic Acid and 3α-Hydroxy Masticadienoic Acid in Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells, which identify and process pathogens to subsequently activate specific T lymphocytes. To regulate the immune responses, DCs have to mature by the recognition of TLR ligands, TNFα or IFNγ. These ligands have been used as adjuvants to activate DCs in situ or in vitro, with toxic effects. It has been shown that some molecules affect the immune system, e.g., Masticadienonic acid (MDA) and 3α-hydroxy masticadienoic acid (3α-OH MDA) triterpenes naturally occurring in several medicinal plants, since they activate the nitric oxide synthase in macrophages and induce T lymphocyte proliferation. The DCs maturation induced by MDA or 3a-OH MDA was determined by incubating these cells with MDA or 3α-OH MDA, and their phenotype was afterwards analyzed. The results showed that only 3α-OH MDA was able to induce DCs maturation. When mice with melanoma were inoculated with DCs/3α-OH MDA, a decreased tumor growth rate was observed along with an extended cell death area within tumors compared to mice treated with DCs incubated with MDA. In conclusion, it is proposed that 3α-OH MDA may be an immunostimulant molecule. Conversely, it is proposed that MDA may be a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties.     

Pentacyclic triterpenes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcostemma clausum</Emphasis>

A homologous series of alkanoic acid (C₂–C₅) esters of germanicol was isolated from the methanolic extract of Sarcostemma clausum, of which germanicol-3-propionate and 3-pentanoate have not been previously described in the literature. In addition, taraxasterol, multiflorenol, and bauerenol were also isolated for the first time from the genus Sarcostemma. Structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic methods (NMR, IR, SM) and by comparison with literature data.Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6 pp. 464–466, November–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Insecticidal Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Isolated Phytoconstituents from the Saudi Plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.)

Chromatographic purification of the alcoholic extract from the aerial parts of the Saudi plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.), Benth., resulted in five isolated phenolic compounds. Two flavones, hispidulin (1) and jaceosidin (2), and the phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside (3), isoverbascoside (4), and conandroside (5), were identified and their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The insecticidal activity of compounds 1 and 2, in addition to 11 compounds isolated in a previous research (6–16), was evaluated against the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Four compounds displayed adulticidal activity with LD₅₀ values of 2–2.3 μg/mosquito. Free radical scavenging properties of the plant extracts and compounds (1–5) were evaluated by measuring the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical cation (ABTS^•+) scavenging activity. All compounds exhibited notable activity, compared with the positive control, l-Ascorbic acid. This study suggests that N. oppositifolia could be a promising source of secondary metabolites, some with lethal adulticidal effect against Ae. aegypti.     

Nutraceutical Role of Polyphenols and Triterpenes Present in the Extracts of Fruits and Leaves of Olea europaea as Antioxidants,Anti-Infectives and Anticancer Agents on Healthy Growth

There is currently a worldwide consensus and recognition of the undoubted health benefits of the so-called Mediterranean diet, with its intake being associated with a lower risk of mortality. The most important characteristics of this type of diet are based on the consumption of significant amounts of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, which provide, in addition to some active ingredients, fiber and a proportion of vegetable protein, together with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as the main sources of vegetable fat. Fish and meat from poultry and other small farm animals are the main sources of protein. One of the main components, as already mentioned, is EVOO, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and to a lesser extent in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The intake of this type of nutrient also provides an important set of phytochemicals whose health potential is widely spread and agreed upon. These phytochemicals include significant amounts of anthocyanins, stilbenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes of varying complexities. Therefore, the inclusion in the diet of this type of molecules, with a proven healthy effect, provides an unquestionable preventive and/or curative activity on an important group of pathologies related to cardiovascular, infectious, and cancerous diseases, as well as those related to the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this review is therefore to shed light on the nutraceutical role of two of the main phytochemicals present in Olea europaea fruit and leaf extracts, polyphenols, and triterpenes, on healthy animal growth. Their immunomodulatory, anti-infective, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-carcinogenic capabilities show them to be potential nutraceuticals, providing healthy growth.     

Two New Triterpenoid Glycosides from the Roots of Rosa cymosa Tratt.

Two new triterpenoid glycosides, 3α,19α,23α‐trihydroxy‐2‐oxo‐12‐ursen‐28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ) and 3α,19α,23α‐trihydroxy‐2‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ) as well as three known compounds, 2α,3α,19α‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), 2α,3α,19α,23‐tetrahydroxy‐12‐ursen‐28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), and 2α,3β,19α,23‐tetrahydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 5 ) were isolated from 75% EtOH extract of Rosa cymosa. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods. All the isolated compounds displayed moderate inhibitory activity against LPS‐induced NO production in macrophages.     

Olive-Derived Triterpenes Suppress SARS COV-2 Main Protease: A Promising Scaffold for Future Therapeutics

SARS CoV-2 pandemic is still considered a global health disaster, and newly emerged variants keep growing. A number of promising vaccines have been recently developed as a protective measure; however, cost-effective treatments are also of great importance to support this critical situation. Previously, betulinic acid has shown promising antiviral activity against SARS CoV via targeting its main protease. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory potential of this compound together with three other triterpene congeners (i.e., ursolic acid, maslinic acid, and betulin) derived from olive leaves against the viral main protease (M^pro) of the currently widespread SARS CoV-2. Interestingly, betulinic, ursolic, and maslinic acids showed significant inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 3.22–14.55 µM), while betulin was far less active (IC₅₀ = 89.67 µM). A comprehensive in-silico analysis (i.e., ensemble docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and binding-free energy calculation) was then performed to describe the binding mode of these compounds with the enzyme catalytic active site and determine the main essential structural features required for their inhibitory activity. Results presented in this communication indicated that this class of compounds could be considered as a promising lead scaffold for developing cost-effective anti-SARS CoV-2 therapeutics.