Rotavirus infection among children under five years of age hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Myanmar during 2018-2020 - Multicentre surveillance before rotavirus vaccine introduction.

Background: Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under-five worldwide, with the majority of mortality in lower -income countries. This study aimed to provide baseline information on epidemiology of rotavirus and circulating strains before rotavirus vaccine introduction in Myanmar.

Methods: Hospital-based, prospective surveillance was conducted from May 2018 to January 2020 at four sentinel sites; two hospitals in Lower Myanmar, one hospital each in Middle Myanmar and East Myanmar.

Flavanols and Flavanes from Crinum asiaticum and Their Effects on LPS Signaling Pathway Through the Inhibition of NF-κB Activation.

Three new flavanols, (2,3)-7-methoxy-flavan-3-ol (1: ), (2,3)-7-hydroxy-flavan-3-ol (2: ), and (2,3)-2'-hydroxy-7-methoxy-flavan-3-ol (3: ), together with two known flavans (4: and 5: ), were isolated from the chloroform extract of . Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and CD data. The isolated compounds 1: and 3: -5: showed inhibitory activity toward LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production.

Shanpanootols G and H, Diterpenoids from the Rhizomes of Kaempferia pulchra Collected in Myanmar and Their Vpr Inhibitory Activities.

Two new trihydroxy derivative of Δ-isopimarane diterpenoids, shanpanootols G (1) and H (2), along with three known analogues were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble extract of Kaempferia pulchra rhizomes collected in Shan State of Myanmar. The structures of these compounds including their absolute configurations were elucidated by the combination of one dimensional (1D) and 2D-NMR spectroscopic methods, high resolution mass spectrometric technique, and the experimental and the calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. The isopimarane diterpenoids (1-5) were tested for their Viral protein R (Vpr) inhibitory activities against TREx-HeLa-Vpr cells.

A New Monoterpene from the Rhizomes of Alpinia galanga and Its Anti-Vpr Activity.

A new menthane-type monoterpene, alpigalanol (1), together with four known terpenes (2-5) were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the 70 % ethanol extract of the Alpinia galanga rhizomes. The structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR. The extract of the A.

Pyrrolactams from Marine Sponge Stylissa massa Collected from Myanmar and Their Anti-Vpr Activities.

A new brominated pyrrolactam stylissaol A (1) together with four known analogues, 2-bromoaldisine, aldisine, spongiacidin D, and Z-hymenialdisine, were isolated from the EtOAc extract of marine sponge Stylissa massa collected in Myanmar. The absolute configuration at C-10 of 1 was determined as R by the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Among the isolated compounds, 2-bromoaldisine showed anti-Viral Protein R (Vpr) activity against TREx-HeLa-Vpr cells with an effective dose of 10 µM and its potency was comparable to that of positive control damnacanthal.

Identification of Ophiocordyceps gracilioides by Its Anti-tumor Effects through Targeting the NFκB-STAT3-IL-6 Inflammatory Pathway.

Although more than 400 species of Cordyceps s.l. have been identified, most have not been well explored regarding their potential for medicinal use.

Anti-metastatic effects of ergosterol peroxide from the entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps gracilioides on 4T1 breast cancer cells.

Ophiocordyceps gracilioides is an entomoparasitic ascomycetes whose bioactivity has not been examined in detail. In this study, we identified the bioactive compounds ergosterol peroxide (EPO) and ergosterol (ERG) from the MeOH extract of O. gracilioides mycelia related to its anti-cancer effects by targeting the Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-ĸB)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) inflammatory pathways.

Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants in Myanmar.

Myanmar is a country with rich natural resources and of these, medicinal plants play a vital role in the primary health care of its population. The people of Myanmar have used their own system of traditional medicine inclusive of the use of medicinal plants for 2000 years. However, systematic and scientific studies have only recently begun to be reported.

Shanpanootols A-F, diterpenoids from Kaempferia pulchra rhizomes collected in Myanmar and their Vpr inhibitory activities.

Six new isopimarane diterpenoids, shanpanootols A-F (1-6), along with two known analogues, were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble extract of Kaempferia pulchra rhizomes collected in Myanmar. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques such as 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the modified Mosher method.

Flavonoids from Woodfordia fruticosa as potential SmltD inhibitors in the alternative biosynthetic pathway of peptidoglycan.

SmltD is an ATP-dependent ligase that catalyzes the condensation of UDP-MurNAc-l-Ala and l-Glu to form UDP-MurNAc-l-Ala-l-Glu, in the newly discovered peptidoglycan biosynthesis pathway of a Gram-negative multiple-drug-resistant pathogen, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Phytochemical investigation of the 70% ethanol extract from Woodfordia fruticosa flowers collected in Myanmar led to the identification of anti-SmltD active flavonoids, kaempferol 3-O-(6''-galloyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), astragalin (2), and juglalin (3). Among them, 1 showed the most potent SmltD inhibitory activity.

Anti-inflammatory activities of isopimara-8(9),15-diene diterpenoids and mode of action of kaempulchraols B-D from Kaempferia pulchra rhizomes.

Kaempulchraols B-D (2-4), isopimara-8(9),15-diene diterpenoids isolated from Kaempferia pulchra rhizomes collected in Myanmar, were identified as potent NF-κB inhibitors. These compounds were also effective as NO inhibitory agents, with IC values of 47.69, 44.

Anti-inflammatory activities of isopimara-8(14),-15-diene diterpenoids and mode of action of kaempulchraols P and Q from Kaempferia pulchra rhizomes.

Inflammation is an extensively recognized link to many pathological diseases. It is a host response for protection from infections and tissue damage. Infections trigger acute inflammation; however, persistent infection will contribute to chronic inflammation and higher disease susceptibility.

Viral protein R inhibitors from Swertia chirata of Myanmar.

Viral protein R (Vpr) is a small, basic accessory protein (14 kDa) that is well conserved in Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Numerous investigations over the past 2 decades have suggested that Vpr would be an attractive target for HIV disease treatment. Small molecules, including fumagillin, damnacanthal, quercetin, vipirinin, isopimarane diterpenoids, picrasane quassinoids, iridoids, and bis-iridoid glycosides, have been reported as potent Vpr inhibitors.

Anti-melanin deposition activity and active constituents of Jatropha multifida stems.

Jatropha multifida is a medicinal plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Our investigation revealed that the chloroform extract of J. multifida stems showed anti-melanin deposition activity against α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)- and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanogenesis in the mouse melanoma cell line (B16-F10).

Bis-iridoid and iridoid glycosides: Viral protein R inhibitors from Picrorhiza kurroa collected in Myanmar.

Four new bis-iridoid glycosides, saungmaygaosides A-D (1-4), and six known iridoid glycosides (5-10) were isolated from the n-butanol extract of the stems of Picrorhiza kurroa collected in Myanmar. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques. All of the isolates were assayed for anti-Vpr activity, using TREx-HeLa-Vpr cells.

Two new quassinoids and other constituents from Picrasma javanica wood, and their biological activities.

Picrasma javanica Blume (Simaroubaceae) is a medium-sized tree that is distributed widely in tropical Asia. In our previous study, we isolated quassinoids from P. javanica bark collected in Myanmar, and reported their antiproliferative activities.

Dinorcassane Diterpenoid from Boesenbergia rotunda Rhizomes Collected in Lower Myanmar.

A new dinorcassane diterpenoid, seikphoochinal A (1), and four known compounds, pinostrobin (2), 4',7-dimethylkaempferol (3), and galanals A (4) and B (5), were isolated from the chloroform-soluble crude extract of wild type Boesenbergia rotunda rhizomes collected in Lower Myanmar. The chemical structures of these compounds were identified, using a combination of spectroscopic methods. The presence of the diterpenoids 1, 4, and 5 demonstrated the structural diversity of wild type B.

Lignans with melanogenesis effects from Premna serratifolia wood.

Three new lignoids, premnan A (1), premnan B (2), and tauntangyiol C (3), were isolated from Premna serratifolia wood, a traditional cosmetic plant in Myanmar, together with a new lignoid, premnan C (4) assumed to be an artifact, one natural new lignoid (5), and three known lignoids (6-8). The structures of the new compounds 1-4 were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR, IR spectroscopy, and HRESIMS. The absolute configurations of 1-4 were also determined by optical rotation, circular dichroism (CD) data analyses, and comparisons with the reported literature.

A new sterol from the Vietnamese marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria and its biological activities.

A new sterol, langcosterol A (1), together with two known sterols 2 and 3, were isolated from the marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria collected in Vietnam. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparisons with published data. The new compound 1 and the known compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (A549, lung cancer; MCF7, breast cancer; HeLa, cervical cancer) and a human normal cell line (WI-38 fibroblast), with IC values ranging from 29.

Two new pyrrolo-2-aminoimidazoles from a Myanmarese marine sponge, Clathria prolifera.

Marine organisms such as marine sponges and soft corals are valuable sources of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. In our ongoing research on the discovery of new secondary metabolites from marine organisms, two new pyrrolo-2-aminoimidazoles, clathriroles A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the water-soluble portion prepared from the methanol and acetone (2:1) extract of the marine sponge, Clathria prolifera, collected in Myanmar. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined using extensive spectroscopic techniques, including NMR, HRESIMS, IR, and optical rotation, and comparisons with the reported literature.

Tetrahydrofuran lignans: Melanogenesis inhibitors from Premna integrifolia wood collected in Myanmar.

Two new tetrahydrofuran lignans, taungtangyiols A (1) and B (2), and eight known furofuran lignans (3-10), were isolated from the chloroform extract of Premna integrifolia wood collected in Myanmar. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 clearly indicated its relative configuration.

Three new sesquiterpene aminoquinones from a Vietnamese Spongia sp. and their biological activities.

Sesquiterpenoid quinones with remarkable properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, antiangiogenic, and differentiation-inducing activities, have reportedly been isolated from the marine sponge genera Dysidea, Spongia, and Dactylospongia. In our continuing search for bioactive compounds from marine sponges, three new sesquiterpenoid quinones, langcoquinones D-F (1-3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Spongia sp. collected from Vietnam.

Labdane diterpenoids from Curcuma amada rhizomes collected in Myanmar and their antiproliferative activities.

Four new labdane diterpenoids, 12β-hydroxy-15-norlabda-8(17),13(14)-dien-16-oic acid (1), (E)-15-ethoxy-15-methoxylabda-8(17),12-dien-16-al (2), (E)-15α-ethoxy-14α-hydroxylabda-8(17),12-dien-16-olide (3), and 15-ethoxy-12β-hydroxylabda-8(17),13(14)-dien-16,15-olide (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of Curcuma amada rhizomes collected in Myanmar, together with 13 known analogs. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic techniques. All of the isolates were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against a small panel of five different human cancer cell lines (A549, human lung cancer; HeLa, human cervical cancer; MCF7, human breast cancer; PANC-1 and PSN-1, human pancreatic cancer).

Naturally occurring Vpr inhibitors from medicinal plants of Myanmar.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is a lentiviral family member that encodes the retroviral Gag, Pol, and Env proteins, along with six additional accessory proteins, Tat, Rev, Vpu, Vif, Nef, and Vpr. The currently approved anti-HIV drugs target the Pol and Env encoded proteins. However, these drugs are only effective in reducing viral replication.