The transcriptional repressor Snail trriggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the process allowing cancer cells with invasive and metastasis properties. In this study, we screened medicinal plants for the Snail inhibitory active components by high content screen (HCS) and found that the crude extract of Xylopia vielana leaves showed potential activity. Subsequently, bioassay-guided isolation of the extract of Xylopia vielana was performed to obtain twenty-four dimeric guaianes (1-24), including 16 new analogues (1-5, 8-11, 13-15, 17, 18, 21, and 22).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe down-regulation of eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF2K) is associated with an enhancement in the sensitivity of malignant cells to chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we found that the silencing of eEF2K enhanced cisplatin (CDDP)-induced cytotoxicity in CDDP-sensitive (HepG2) and resistant (HepG2/CDDP) cells. Calyxin Y, a unique chalcone diarylheptanoid adduct, down-regulated eEF2K by promoting Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein (SCF) β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTrCP)-mediated protein degradation and synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity of CDDP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCitrifurans A-D (1-4), metabolized by an Aspergillus sp., are unusual dimers of azaphilone and furanone derivatives. Michael addition was thought to be the pivotal procedure in their biosynthesis, and different addition sites generated two new different carbon skeletons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWalsuronoid B is a limonoid compound extracted from Walsura robusta. Previous studies have shown that limonoid compounds possess anti-cancer potential, although the molecular mechanism of this activity remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that walsuronoid B inhibited cell proliferation in several human cancer lines.
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